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Rules of Procedureof the German Bundestag and Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee

Rules of Procedureof the German Bundestag and Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee

Print versionAs at: May 2014

Published by: German BundestagPublic Relations DivisionPlatz der Republik 11, 11011 Berlin

Translated by: Language Service of the German BundestagDesign and production coordination: Regelindis Westphal Grafik-Design / Berno Buff, Norbert LauterbachBundestag eagle: Created by Professor Ludwig Gies, revised in 2008 by büro uebelePrinted by: H. Heenemann GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin

© Deutscher Bundestag, Berlin 2014All rights reserved

This publication is produced by the German Bundestag in the framework of parliamentary public relations work. It may not be used by parties, parliamen-tary groups, Members of the Bundestag or candidates in their public relations activities – particularly for campaign purposes.

Contents

A. Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag 11

I. Election of the President, Vice-Presidents and Secretaries 12

Rule 1 Constituent meeting 13Rule 2 Election of the President and the Vice-Presidents 13Rule 3 Election of Secretaries 14

II. Election of the Federal Chancellor 15

Rule 4 Election of the Federal Chancellor 16

III. President, Presidium and Council of Elders 17

Rule 5 Presidium 18Rule 6 Council of Elders 18Rule 7 Duties of the President 19Rule 8 Chair 20Rule 9 Duties of Secretaries 20

IV. Parliamentary groups 21

Rule 10 Formation of parliamentary groups 22Rule 11 Order of parliamentary groups 22Rule 12 Distribution of posts among parliamentary groups 23

V. The Members of the Bundestag 24

Rule 13 Rights and duties of Members of the Bundestag 25Rule 14 Leave 25Rule 15 Contestation and loss of membership 25Rule 16 Inspectionandsubmissionoffiles 25Rule 17 Rules on Document Security 26Rule 18 Code of Conduct 26

VI. Agenda, convening of the Bundestag, conduct of its sittings, and measures for the maintenance of order 27

Rule 19 Sittings 28Rule 20 Agenda 28Rule 21 Convening of the Bundestag by the President 29Rule 22 Conduct of sittings 29Rule 23 Opening of the debate 29Rule 24 Joint debate on related items of business 30Rule 25 Adjournment of deliberations or closure of the debate 30Rule 26 Adjournment of the sitting 30Rule 27 Leave to speak and request for leave to speak 30Rule 28 Order in which speakers are called 31Rule 29 Points of order 31Rule 30 Statements on the debate 32Rule 31 Explanations of vote 32Rule 32 Statements on matters not included in the agenda 33Rule 33 Speeches 33Rule 34 Delivery of speeches 33Rule 35 Speaking time 33Rule 36 Calls for pertinence and calls to order, direction to discontinue speaking 34Rule 37 Fine 34Rule 38 Suspension of Members of the Bundestag 35Rule 39 Objection to measures for the maintenance of order 36Rule 40 Suspension of the sitting 36Rule 41 Other measures for the maintenance of order 36Rule 42 Summoning of a member of the Federal Government 36Rule 43 Right to be heard at any time 37Rule 44 Resumption of the debate 37Rule 45 Ascertaining the presence of a quorum; Consequences of the lack of a quorum 38Rule 46 Putting questions 38Rule 47 Separation of a question into parts 39Rule 48 Rules on voting 39Rule 49 Elections by secret ballot 40Rule 50 Procedure for selecting the seat of a federal authority 41Rule 51 Counting of votes 41Rule 52 Vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names 42Rule 53 Inadmissibility of a vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names 42

VII. Committees 43

Rule 54 Permanent committees and special committees 44Rule 55 Setting up of subcommittees 44Rule 56 Study commissions 45Rule 56 a Technology assessments 46Rule 57 Number of committee members 46Rule 58 Appointment of chairpersons and deputy chairpersons 46Rule 59 Rights and duties of the chairperson 47Rule 60 Convening of committee meetings 47Rule 61 Agenda for committee meetings 48Rule 62 Functions of committees 48Rule 63 The lead committee 49Rule 64 Committee business 49Rule 65 Nomination of rapporteurs 49Rule 66 Reports 50Rule 67 Committee quorum 50Rule 68 Summoning of a member of the Federal Government to committee meetings 50Rule 69 Non-public committee meetings 51Rule 69 a Extended public committee deliberations 52Rule 70 Public hearings 54Rule 71 Moving motions in committee; Closure of the debate 55Rule 72 Voting outside a meeting 56Rule 73 Minutes of committee meetings 56Rule 74 Applicability of the provisions of the Rules of Procedure 57

VIII. Procedure for items of business 58

Rule 75 Items of business 59Rule 76 Items of business submitted by Members of the Bundestag 60Rule 77 Treatment of items of business 60Rule 78 Reading of bills 60Rule 79 First reading of bills 62Rule 80 Referral to a committee 62Rule 80 a Examination of bills to ensure linguistic accuracy and clarity 63Rule 81 Second reading of bills 64Rule 82 Motions for amendments and referral back to committee on second reading 65Rule 83 Grouping together of amendments 65Rule 84 Third reading of bills 65Rule 85 Motions for amendments and referral back to committee on third reading 66

Rule 86 Final vote 66Rule 87 Procedure with regard to Article 113 of the Basic Law 67Rule 88 Treatment of motions for resolutions 67Rule 89 Convening of the Mediation Committee 68Rule 90 Deliberations on recommendations of the Mediation Committee 66Rule 91 Objection lodged by the Bundesrat 68Rule 92 Ordinances 69Rule 93 Forwarding and referral of EU items 69Rule 93 a Committee deliberations on EU documents 71Rule 93 b Committee on the Affairs of the European Union 73Rule 93 c Subsidiarity objections 75Rule 93 d Subsidiarity actions 75Rule 94 Stability measures 77Rule 95 Budgetary bills 77Rule 96 Finance bills 78Rule 96 a Procedures pursuant to the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation 80Rule 97 VoteofnoconfidenceintheFederalChancellor 81Rule 98 MotionoftheFederalChancellorforavoteofconfidence 82Rule 99 Urgent bills of the Federal Government under Article 81 of the Basic Law 82Rule 100 Major interpellations 82Rule 101 Replies to and debates on major interpellations 83Rule 102 Refusal to reply to a major interpellation 83Rule 103 Restriction of debates on major interpellations 83Rule 104 Minor interpellations 83Rule 105 Questions submitted by individual Members of the Bundestag 84Rule 106 Debate on matters of topical interest and questions put to the Federal Government 84Rule 107 Immunity 84

IX. Procedure for petitions 86

Rule 108 Competence of the Petitions Committee 87Rule 109 Referral of petitions 87Rule 110 Rights of the Petitions Committee 87Rule 111 Transfer of powers to individual members of the Petitions Committee 88Rule 112 Recommendation and report of the Petitions Committee 88

X. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces 89

Rule 113 Election of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces 90Rule 114 Reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces 90Rule 115 Debates on reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces 90

XI. Recording and implementation of decisions of the Bundestag 91

Rule 116 Minutes of plenary proceedings 92Rule 117 Checking of the transcript by the speaker 92Rule 118 Correction of transcripts 92Rule 119 Record of interjections 92Rule 120 Recording of decisions 93Rule121 Objectionstotheofficialrecord 93Rule 122 Transmission of adopted bills 93Rule 122 a Electronic documents 94Rule 123 Calculation of time limits 94Rule 124 Compliance with time limits 94Rule125 Unfinishedbusiness 95

XII. Departures from and interpretation of the Rules of Procedure 96

Rule 126 Departures from the Rules of Procedure 97Rule 126 a Special application of minority rights during the 18th electoral term 97Rule 127 Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure 99Rule 128 Rights of the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure 99

Annexes 100

Annex 1 Code of Conduct for Members of the German BundestagProvisions Implementing the Code of Conduct for Members of the German Bundestag as promulgated on 18 June 2013 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1645) 101Annex 2Registration of associations and their representatives 114Annex 3Bundestag Rules on Document Security 115Implementing provisions in respect of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security 123 Annex 4Guidelines for Question Time and for written questions 127Annex 5Guidelines for debates on matters of general topical interest 130Annex 6Decision of the Bundestag relating to the waiver of immunity of Members of the Bundestag 132Principles governing matters relating to immunity and to cases of permission granted under Section 50, paragraph (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 382, paragraph (3) of the Code of Civil Procedure as well as authorisations under Section 90b, paragraph (2) and Section 194, paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code 135Annex 7Questions put to the Federal Government 145

Appendices 146

Appendix 1 Internal Regulations of the German Bundestag 147Appendix 2 Guidelines for the Treatment of the Minutes of Committee Meetings under Rule 73, paragraph (3) of the Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag 157

B. Joint Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee 159

A.Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag

as published in the Notificationof 2 July 1980 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1237),last amended by the Notificationof 23 April 2014 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 534)

11

I.Election of the President, Vice-Presidents and Secretaries

12


Rule 1Constituent meeting

(1) The first meeting of the newly elected Bundestag shall be convened by the outgoing President and shall be held not later than the thirtieth day after the election (Article 39 of the Basic Law).

(2) At the first meeting of the Bundestag, the Member of the Bundestag who is the most advanced in years, or, should he or she decline, the next oldest, shall take the Chair until the newly elected President or one of the Vice-Presidents assumes the office.

(3) The President by age shall appoint Members of the Bundes-tag to act as Secretaries on a provisional basis. The roll of Members of the Bundestag shall then be called.

(4) After the presence of a quorum has been ascertained, the President, Vice-Presidents and Secretaries shall be elected.

> Basic Law: Article 39, paragraphs (1) and (2)

Rule 2 Election of the President and the Vice-Presidents

(1) The Bundestag shall, in secret and separate ballots (Rule 49), elect the President and the Vice-Presidents for the duration of the electoral term. Every parliamentary group in the German Bundestag shall be represented on the Presidium by at least one Vice-President.

(2) The person receiving the votes of the majority of the Members of the Bundestag shall be elected. If a majority is not obtained in the first ballot, new candidates may be proposed for a second ballot. If a majority of the votes of the Members of the Bundestag is still not obtained, a third ballot shall be held. If there is only one candidate in the third ballot, this candi-date shall be elected if he or she receives the majority of votes cast. Where there are several candidates, the two candidates with the highest number of votes shall move into the third ballot; the person who obtains the most votes shall be elected. In the event of a tie, the President in the Chair shall draw lots to decide which of the two candidates is elected.


(3) Further ballots involving a candidate unsuccessful in a third ballot are only permissible with the agreement of the Council of Elders. If new candidates are proposed following unsuccessful proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2), the electoral proceedings pursuant to paragraph (2) shall be set in motion once again.

> Basic Law: Article 40, paragraph (1), and Article 121

Rule 3Election of Secretaries

The Bundestag shall determine the number of Secretaries. They may be elected collectively upon a proposal of the parliamentary groups. Rule 12 shall be taken into account in determining the number of Secretaries and their distribu-tion among the parliamentary groups.

II.Election of the Federal Chancellor

15

II. Election of the Federal Chancellor 16

Rule 4 Election of the Federal Chancellor

The Federal Chancellor (Article 63 of the Basic Law) shall be elected by secret ballot (Rule 49). Nominations for the ballots in accordance with Article 63, paragraphs (3) and (4) of the Basic Law must be signed by one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag or a parliamentary group representing at least one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag.

> Basic Law: Article 63 > Taking of oath: Article 64, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law> Majority of the Members: Article 121 of the Basic Law

III.President, Presidium and Council of Elders

17


Rule 5 Presidium

The President and the Vice-Presidents shall form the Presidium.

Rule 6 Council of Elders

(1) The Council of Elders shall consist of the President, the Vice-Presidents and twenty-three further Members to be appointed by the parliamentary groups pursuant to Rule 12. The President shall be responsible for convening the Coun-cil of Elders. The President must convene it if a parliamen-tary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag so demand.

(2) The Council of Elders shall assist the President in the con-duct of business. It shall ensure that agreement is reached among the parliamentary groups on the appointment of committee chairpersons and deputy chairpersons and on the Bundestag‘s work programme. In the exercise of these functions the Council of Elders shall not be a decision- making body.

(3) The Council of Elders shall decide on the internal affairs of the Bundestag insofar as they do not fall within the compe-tence of the President or the Presidium. It shall decide on the use to be made of the premises set aside for the Bunde-stag. It shall prepare the draft of the Bundestag budget, from which the Budget Committee may only depart after consul-tation with the Council of Elders.

(4) The Council of Elders shall set up a permanent subcommit-tee to attend to matters concerning the library, the archives and other documentation services. Members of the Bundes-tag who are not members of the Council of Elders may belong to this subcommittee.


Rule 7 Duties of the President

(1) The President shall represent the Bundestag and conduct its business. He or she shall uphold the dignity and rights of the Bundestag, further its work, conduct its debates fairly and impartially, and maintain order in the Bundestag. The President may participate in the meetings of any committee without being entitled to vote.

(2) The President shall exercise the proprietary and police powers in all buildings, parts of buildings and land under the administration of the Bundestag. The President shall issue internal regulations in agreement with the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure.

(3) The President shall, in consultation with the Vice-Presi-dents, conclude those contracts that have considerable im-portance for the Bundestag Administration. The President shall order any expenditure provided for in the Bundestag budget.

(4) All the civil servants of the Bundestag shall be subject to the supreme authority of the President. They shall be ap-pointed and engaged by the President in accordance with the statutory and general administrative provisions, and be placed by him or her on the retired list. Public employees of the Bundestag other than civil servants shall likewise be engaged and dismissed by the President. Measures under the second and third sentences shall be taken by the Presi-dent, in the case of officials of the higher service or of sala-ried public employees of an equivalent grade in consulta-tion with the Vice-Presidents and, where senior civil serv-ants (A 16 and above) or salaried public employees of an equivalent grade are engaged, promoted or upgraded, with the consent of the Presidium.

(5) Paragraph (4) shall also apply to the staff assigned to the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces. Meas-ures under paragraph (4), fourth sentence shall be taken in consultation with the Parliamentary Commissioner for the


Armed Forces. The nomination, appointment, transfer, re-assignment and superannuation of the Chief Administrator and Deputy of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces shall be carried out in agreement with the Parliamentary Commissioner. The Parliamentary Commis-sioner shall be entitled to make proposals concerning all decisions pursuant to paragraph (4).

(6) If the President is unable to discharge his or her duties, one of the Vice-Presidents from the second largest parliamenta-ry group shall take his or her place.

> Basic Law: Article 40, paragraph (2)

Rule 8 Chair

(1) At sittings of the Bundestag the Chair shall consist of the President and two Secretaries.

(2) The President shall, in agreement with the Vice-Presidents, determine the order in which they are to take the Chair in his or her place. If neither the President nor any of the Vice-Presidents is able to take the Chair, it shall be taken by the Member of the Bundestag who is the most advanced in years.

(3) If the number of elected Secretaries present at a sitting of the Bundestag is insufficient, the President in the Chair shall appoint other Members of the Bundestag to take their place.

Rule 9Duties of Secretaries

The Secretaries shall assist the President. They shall read out documents, record the proceedings, draw up the list of speakers, call the roll, collect ballot papers and count votes, supervise the correction of the minutes of plenary proceed-ings, and attend to other matters concerning the Bundestag in line with the instructions of the President. The President shall be responsible for the distribution of business.

IV.Parliamentary groups

21


Rule 10 Formation of parliamentary groups

(1) The parliamentary groups shall be associations of not less than five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, and their members shall belong to the same party or to parties which, on account of similar political aims, do not compete with each other in any Land. Where Members of the Bundestag form such an association on grounds other than those set out in the first sentence of this paragraph, its recognition as a parliamentary group shall require the consent of the Bundestag.

(2) The formation of a parliamentary group, its designation, and the names of the chairpersons, members and guests shall be communicated to the President in writing.

(3) Parliamentary groups may admit guests who, while not counting towards the strength of the group, shall be taken into account in the distribution of posts (Rule 12).

(4) Members of the Bundestag who wish to form an association but do not reach the prescribed minimum strength for par-liamentary group status may be recognised as a grouping. Paragraphs (2) and (3) shall apply to them mutatis mutan-dis.

(5) Joint technical working parties set up by parliamentary groups shall not affect the number of posts to which the parliamentary groups are entitled in line with their relative strengths.

Rule 11Order of parliamentary groups

The order of parliamentary groups shall be determined by their relative strengths. If any groups are of equal size, the President shall determine the order by drawing lots at a sit-ting of the Bundestag. Seats that fall vacant shall, until they are filled, continue to count towards the strength of the par-liamentary group to which they had until then belonged.


Rule 12 Distribution of posts among parliamentary groups

The composition of the Council of Elders and of the com-mittees as well as the appointment of the chairpersons of the various committees shall be in proportion to the strengths of the parliamentary groups. The same principle shall apply to elections to be held by the Bundestag.

V.The Members of the Bundestag

24

Rule 13Rights and duties of Members of the Bundestag

(1) As regards their speeches and actions and their participa-tion in votes and elections, Members of the Bundestag shall act in line with their convictions and conscience.

(2) The Members of the Bundestag shall be obliged to take part in the work of the Bundestag. On each sitting day an at-tendance register shall be displayed, in which the Members of the Bundestag shall enter their names. The consequences for Members who fail to enter their names in the register and to take part in a vote using voting cards bearing Mem-bers‘ names are laid down in the Act on the Legal Status of Members of the German Bundestag.


Rule 14 Leave

Leave shall be granted by the President. It shall not be granted for an indefinite period.

Rule 15 Contestation and loss of membership

The rights of a Member of the Bundestag whose member-ship has been contested shall be governed by the provisions of the Act on the Scrutiny of Elections. This Law shall also govern loss of membership.

Rule 16 Inspectionandsubmissionoffiles

(1) Members of the Bundestag shall be entitled to inspect all files in the safekeeping of the Bundestag or of a committee; this shall not be allowed to impede the work of the Bunde-stag or of its committees, of committee chairpersons or rap-porteurs. Personal files and accounts kept by the Bundestag in respect of its Members may be inspected only by the Member concerned. Where other Members of the Bundestag, for example in their capacity as rapporteurs or committee



chairpersons, or persons from outside the Bundestag wish to inspect these files, they may do so only with the permis-sion of the President and of the Member of the Bundestag concerned. Members of the Bundestag may at any time inspect Bundestag files that concern them personally.

(2) Files may be handed over for use outside the Bundestag buildings only to the chairpersons or rapporteurs of com-mittees for the performance of their duties.

(3) Exceptions may be approved by the President. (4) Classified material (Rule 17) shall be handled in accordance

with the Rules of the German Bundestag on Document Security.

Rule 17 Rules on Document Security

The Bundestag shall adopt Rules on Document Security, which shall form an integral part of these Rules of Proce-dure (Annex 3). These Rules shall govern all matters that must be prevented by means of special security measures from coming to the knowledge of unauthorised persons.

Rule 18 Code of Conduct

The Code of Conduct to be adopted by the Bundestag in accordance with Section 44b of the Act on the Legal Status of Members of the German Bundestag shall form an integral part of these Rules of Procedure (Annex 1).

VI.Agenda, convening of the Bundestag, conduct of its sittings, and measures for the maintenance of order

27

VI. Agenda, convening, conduct of sittings, maintenance of order 28

Rule 19 Sittings

The sittings of the Bundestag shall be public. The public may be excluded pursuant to Article 42, paragraph (1) of the Basic Law.


Rule 20 Agenda

(1) The date and agenda of each sitting of the Bundestag shall be agreed in the Council of Elders, unless the Bundestag has already taken a decision thereon or the President deter-mines them on his or her own authority pursuant to Rule 21, paragraph (1).

(2) The agenda shall be communicated to the Members of the Bundestag, to the Bundesrat and to the Federal Govern-ment. If no objection is raised, it shall be deemed to have been adopted when the first item is called. After the open-ing of a plenary sitting any Member of the Bundestag may, before the first item on the agenda is called, move an amendment to the agenda, provided this motion was sub-mitted to the President by 18.00 hours on the previous day at the latest.

(3) After the agenda has been adopted other items may be dis-cussed only if no objection is raised either by a parliamen-tary group or by five per cent of the Members of the Bundes-tag, who shall be present, or if these Rules of Procedure per-mit discussion of matters not included in the agenda. The Bundestag may at any time remove an item from the agenda unless these Rules of Procedure provide otherwise.

(4) Items of business submitted by Members of the Bundestag must, upon the demand of the movers, be placed on the agenda for the next sitting and discussed if at least three weeks have passed since distribution of the relevant printed paper (Rule 123).

(5) Where a sitting has been terminated owing to the lack of a quorum, the President may convene one more sitting for


the same day with the same agenda. Within that agenda the President may set a time for the repetition of the unsuccess-ful vote or election or remove that item from the agenda unless a parliamentary group objects or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, object.

Rule 21 Convening of the Bundestag by the President

(1) The President shall on his or her own authority determine the date and agenda of a sitting if the Bundestag empowers him or her to do so or is unable, for a reason other than the lack of a quorum, to take a decision.

(2) The President shall be obliged to convene the Bundestag if one third of its Members, the Federal President or the Federal Chancellor so demands (Article 39, paragraph (3) of the Basic Law).

(3) Where in other cases the President has on his or her own authority determined the date of a sitting or placed addi-tional items on the agenda, he or she shall obtain the con-sent of the Bundestag at the beginning of the sitting.


Rule 22 Conduct of sittings

The President shall open, conduct and close sittings. Before the closure of each sitting the President shall announce the date of the next sitting as agreed in the Council of Elders or decided by the Bundestag.

Rule 23 Opening of the debate

The President shall open the debate on every item of business placed on the agenda unless such a debate is inadmissible or subject to special conditions.


Rule 24Joint debate on related items of business

It may at any time be decided to debate similar or factually related items of business jointly.

Rule 25Adjournment of deliberations or closure of the debate

(1) If all the speakers on the list have taken the floor or if no one requests leave to speak, the President shall declare the debate closed.

(2) The Bundestag may adjourn the deliberations or close the debate if a motion to that effect is moved either by a parlia-mentary group or by five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present. When a vote is taken, a motion for closure shall take precedence over a motion for adjournment. A motion for closure may be put to the vote only after each parliamentary group has had the floor at least once.

Rule 26 Adjournment of the sitting

A sitting may only be adjourned if the Bundestag so decides upon the proposal of the President or upon the motion of a parliamentary group or upon the motion of five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present.

Rule 27Leave to speak and request for leave to speak

(1) Members of the Bundestag may take the floor only if given leave to do so by the President. If the President wishes to speak in the debate, he or she shall vacate the Chair for that purpose. Members of the Bundestag who wish to speak on the subject under debate shall, as a rule, inform the Secre-tary who keeps the list of speakers. Members of the Bundes-tag who wish to raise a point of order or to make a state-ment may do so by intervention.


(2) If a Member of the Bundestag wishes to put a question to the speaker in the course of his or her speech or, during the debate, to make remarks on the subject under discussion, he or she shall use one of the microphones in the Chamber. He or she may put this question or make these remarks, which must be brief and concise, only if the speaker, fol-lowing a question to that effect by the President, has con-sented. Following a contribution to the debate the President may give Members leave to make remarks lasting not more than three minutes; the speaker may reply once.

Rule 28 Order in which speakers are called

(1) The President shall determine the order in which speakers are called. In so doing, the President shall be guided by the need to ensure that debates are conducted properly and ef-ficiently, with due regard to the different views of political parties, the arguments for and against the subject under de-bate, and the relative strengths of the parliamentary groups; in particular, a divergent opinion shall be heard after a speech has been delivered by a member of the Federal Government or a person commissioned by it.

(2) The first speaker in the debate on an item of business sub-mitted by Members of the Bundestag should not belong to the same parliamentary group as the mover of the motion. The mover and the rapporteur may demand leave to speak before the beginning and after the end of the debate. The rapporteur shall have the right to speak at any time.

Rule 29 Points of order

(1) The President shall give precedence to Members requesting leave to speak in order to move a procedural motion. The motion must relate to the subject under debate or to the agenda.

(2) Where procedural motions are moved which must be com-plied with (demand), the President may decide to grant


leave to speak only to the mover or, in the case of other motions, to one speaker from each parliamentary group.

(3) If a Member of the Bundestag raises a point of order with-out wishing to speak on a procedural motion moved or to move such a motion personally, the President shall grant leave to speak at his or her discretion.

(4) No Member may speak for longer than five minutes on a point of order.

Rule 30Statements on the debate

Leave to make a statement on the debate shall be granted after the conclusion, suspension or adjournment of the debate. The President may give precedence to Members requesting leave to speak in order to make a statement in the course of the debate. The Member concerned shall in-form the President of the reason for his or her statement when requesting leave to speak. He or she may deliver a statement on the debate only in order to rebut any remarks that have been made about his or her person in the course of a debate or to correct observations that the Member him-self or herself has made; the statement may not last more than five minutes.

Rule 31 Explanations of vote

(1) After the conclusion of a debate Members of the Bundestag may make an oral statement on the final vote lasting not more than five minutes or submit a short written statement, which shall be included in the minutes of plenary proceed-ings. As a rule the President shall give Members leave to make a statement before the vote is taken.

(2) Prior to the vote any Member of the Bundestag may state that he or she will not participate in the vote.


Rule 32 Statements on matters not included in the agenda

The President may, before calling the first item on the agen-da or after the conclusion, suspension or adjournment of the debate, grant leave to a Member to speak on a matter not included in the agenda for the purpose of making a statement of fact or of a personal nature. When requesting leave to speak the Member shall inform the President of the reason for his or her statement. The statement may not last more than five minutes.

Rule 33 Speeches

In principle, speakers shall not read their speeches. They may make use of notes.

Rule 34 Delivery of speeches

Speakers shall use the microphones provided for the pur-pose or speak from the rostrum.

Rule 35 Speaking time

(1) The form and duration of a debate on a particular item of business shall be determined by the Bundestag on the pro-posal of the Council of Elders. If no agreement is reached in the Council of Elders in line with the first sentence, or if the Bundestag does not decide otherwise, no speaker may have the floor for more than fifteen minutes. Upon the demand of a parliamentary group, one of its speakers may take the floor for up to forty-five minutes. The President may extend these speaking times if the subject under debate or the progress of the debate make this appear appropriate.

(2) If a member of the Federal Government or of the Bundesrat, or a person commissioned by them, speaks for more than twenty minutes, the parliamentary group wishing to present

a divergent view may demand the same speaking time for one of its speakers.

(3) If a Member of the Bundestag exceeds the speaking time al-located to him or her, the President shall, after warning him or her once, direct him or her to discontinue speaking.

Rule 36 Calls for pertinence and calls to order, direction to discontinue speaking

(1) The President may call upon speakers who digress to keep to the subject under debate. The President may name and call to order Members of the Bundestag who commit a breach of order or fail to respect the dignity of the Bundes-tag. The call to order and the reason for it may not be referred to by subsequent speakers.

(2) If, during his or her speech, a speaker is called upon three times to keep to the subject under debate or is called to order three times after having on the second occasion been warned of the consequences of a third reminder to keep to the subject under debate or of a third call to order, the President must direct him or her to discontinue speaking and may not, during the remainder of the debate, grant him or her leave to speak on the same subject.

Rule 37 Fine

In the case of a non-minor breach of order or failure to respect the dignity of the Bundestag, the President may impose a fine of €1000 on a Member of the Bundestag even if he or she has not been called to order. Any repetition shall result in an increase in the fine to € 2000. Rule 38, paragraph (2), shall apply mutatis mutandis.


Rule 38 Suspension of Members of the Bundestag

(1) The President may order a Member of the Bundestag who has committed a serious breach of order or failed to respect the dignity of the Bundestag to leave the Chamber for the remainder of the sitting even if he or she has not been called to order or no fine has been imposed. Before the sit-ting is closed the President shall announce for how many sitting days the Member in question will be suspended. A Member of the Bundestag may be suspended for up to thirty sitting days.

(2) A suspension of a Member from a sitting may be issued retrospectively, no later than the sitting subsequent to that in which the serious breach of order or failure to respect the dignity of the Bundestag took place, provided the Presi-dent explicitly declares a breach of order or failure to re-spect the dignity of the Bundestag during the sitting in question and reserves the right to issue a suspension at a later point. The second and third sentences of paragraph (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis. The fact that a call to order has already been made shall not preclude the possibility of a suspension from a sitting being issued retrospectively.

(3) The Member concerned shall immediately leave the Cham-ber. If he or she refuses to obey the order, the President shall indicate to the Member that this behaviour will result in a prolongation of the suspension.

(4) The Member concerned shall also be excluded from com-mittee meetings for the duration of his or her suspension.

(5) If the Member concerned attempts unlawfully to take part in sittings of the Bundestag or meetings of its committees, the second sentence of paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(6) The Member concerned shall not be deemed to be on leave of absence. The Member may not enter his or her name in the attendance register.



Rule 39 Objection to measures for the maintenance of order

The Member concerned may, by the next sitting day, lodge a reasoned objection in writing to the call to order (Rule 36), to the fine (Rule 37) or to his or her suspension (Rule 38). The objection shall be placed on the agenda of that sitting. The Bundestag shall decide thereon without debate. The objection shall not have a delaying effect.

Rule 40 Suspension of the sitting

If disturbances in the Bundestag threaten to obstruct the business of the House, the President may suspend the sitting for a specified period of time or terminate it. If the President cannot make himself or herself heard, he or she shall leave the Chair; this shall have the effect of suspend-ing the sitting. The President shall reconvene the sitting.

Rule 41 Other measures for the maintenance of order

(1) Persons who are not Members of the Bundestag and take part in the sittings and members of the public shall be sub-ject to the President‘s power to take measures for the main-tenance of order.

(2) Any person in the galleries expressing approval or disap-proval or behaving in a disorderly or unseemly manner may be expelled immediately by order of the President. The President may order the galleries to be cleared in the event of disturbances that obstruct the conduct of business.

Rule 42 Summoning of a member of the Federal Government

The Bundestag may, upon the motion of a parliamentary group or upon the motion of five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, decide that a member of the Federal Government be summoned.



Rule 43 Right to be heard at any time

The members of the Federal Government and of the Bun-desrat, as well as persons commissioned by them, must, upon their demand, be heard at any time in accordance with Article 43, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law.


Rule 44 Resumption of the debate

(1) If, after the end of a debate or after the expiry of the overall speaking time set aside for a debate, a member of, or a per-son commissioned by, the Federal Government or the Bun-desrat speaks on the subject under debate, the debate shall be considered reopened.

(2) If, during a debate, a member of, or a person commissioned by, the Federal Government or the Bundesrat is given leave to speak on the subject under debate, the parliamentary groups whose speaking time on that item of business has already expired shall be entitled to a further period of one quarter of the time previously allocated to them.

(3) If a member of, or a person commissioned by, the Federal Government or the Bundesrat speaks on a matter not in-cluded in the agenda, a debate on his or her statement shall be opened if a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be pre-sent, so demand. Substantive motions may not, however, be moved in the course of such a debate.

Rule 45 Ascertaining the presence of a quorum; Consequences of the lack of a quorum

(1) A quorum of the Bundestag shall exist when more than one half of its Members are present in the Chamber.

(2) If, before a vote is taken, doubts are expressed about the presence of a quorum either by a parliamentary group or by five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be


present, and its presence is not confirmed unanimously by the Chair either, or if doubts are expressed about the pres-ence of a quorum by the Chair in agreement with the parlia-mentary groups, the presence or lack of a quorum shall, in conjunction with the vote, be ascertained by counting the votes pursuant to Rule 51, in the course of a core-time de-bate by applying the procedure pursuant to Rule 52. The President may suspend the vote for a brief period.

(3) After the lack of a quorum has been ascertained, the Presi-dent shall immediately terminate the sitting. Rule 20, para-graph (5) shall apply. Any demand for a vote using voting cards bearing Members‘ names shall remain in force. When ascertaining whether a quorum is present, abstentions and invalid votes shall also count.

(4) Independently of the procedure pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (3), the President may, during core-time debates, suspend the sitting in agreement with the parliamentary groups, if the Chair expresses doubts about the presence of twenty-five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag. The number of Members present shall be ascertained by applying the procedure pursuant to Rule 52.

Rule 46 Putting questions

The President shall put questions in such a manner that they can be answered with either „Yes“ or „No“. As a rule, they shall be so worded as to elicit whether approval is given or withheld. Leave may be asked to raise a point of order as regards the form of the question. If an objection is raised to the form proposed, the Bundestag shall decide.


Rule 47 Separation of a question into parts

Any Member of the Bundestag may move that a question be separated into parts. If the admissibility of such separation is doubtful, the decision shall, in the case of a motion by a Member of the Bundestag, be taken by its mover and in other cases by the Bundestag. If so demanded, the question shall be read out immediately before a vote is taken.

Rule 48 Rules on voting

(1) Voting shall be by show of hands or by standing or sitting. The final vote on a bill after the third reading (Rule 86) shall be taken by standing or sitting.

(2) Unless the Basic Law, a federal law or these Rules of Procedure provide otherwise, decisions shall be taken by a simple majority. A tie shall constitute a negative vote.

(3) If, under the provisions of the Basic Law, a federal law, or these Rules of Procedure, a decision or an election requires a specific majority, the President shall expressly state that the approval of the requisite majority exists.

> Basic Law: Article 42, paragraph (2)> Majority of the Members: Article 121 of the Basic Law

Other provisions of the Basic Law:Change in Land boundaries: Article 29, paragraph (7), second sentenceExclusion of the public: Article 42, paragraph (1) see also Rule 19 of the Rules of ProcedureImpeachment of the Federal President: Article 61, paragraph (1), third sentenceElection of the Federal Chancellor: Article 63, paragraphs (2) to (4)see also Rule 4 of the Rules of ProcedureVote of no confidence: Article 67, paragraph (1)see also Rule 97 of the Rules of ProcedureElection of a new Federal Chancellor: Article 68, paragraph (1)see also Rule 98 of the Rules of Procedure


Rejection of an objection lodged by the Bundesrat: Article 77, paragraph (4)see also Rule 91 of the Rules of ProcedureAmendment of the Basic Law: Article 79, paragraph (2)Application of legal provisions in a state of tension:Article 80a, paragraphs (1) and (3)Establishment of federal authorities at the intermediate and lower levels:Article 87, paragraph (3), second sentenceDetermination of a state of defence: Article 115 a, paragraph (1)

Statutory provisions:Section 5, paragraph (1) of the Act on the Election of JudgesSection 6, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Federal Constitutional CourtSection 13 and Section 15, paragraph (4) of the Act on the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed ForcesSection 22, paragraph (1) of the Federal Act on Data ProtectionSection 35, paragraph (2) of the Act on the Files of the State Security Service of the Former German Democratic Republic

Provisions of the Rules of Procedure:Election of the President and the Vice-Presidents of the Bundestag: Rule 2, paragraph (2)Departures from the Rules of Procedure: Rule 126

Rule 49 Elections by secret ballot

(1) Where a federal law or these Rules of Procedure provide for elections by the Bundestag using official ballot papers, the ballot shall be secret. The ballot papers shall be handed out only before the polling booth is entered (when each Mem-ber’s name is called). The polling booths to be set up to en-sure the secrecy of the ballot shall be used for casting the votes. The marked ballot papers, placed in the envelopes supplied, shall be inserted in the urns provided for the purpose.


(2) Section 56, paragraph (6), subparagraph (4) of the Federal Electoral Code shall apply mutatis mutandis.

Section 56, paragraph (6), subparagraph (4) of the Federal Electoral Code:(6) The Electoral Board shall reject a voter who ...4. has marked his ballot paper or placed it in the envelope before entering the polling booth, or ...

Rule 50 Procedure for selecting the seat of a federal authority

(1) Where, in a bill, a decision has to be taken on the seat of a federal authority and more than two proposals have been made for its seat, the choice shall be made before the final vote.

(2) The Bundestag shall vote by means of ballot papers bearing Members’ names on which the place desired shall be en-tered. The place obtaining the majority of the votes shall be chosen. If no majority is obtained, a second ballot shall be held to decide between the two places that obtained the largest number of votes in the first ballot. The place then obtaining the majority of the votes shall be chosen.

(3) This provision shall apply mutatis mutandis where a deci-sion on the seat of a federal authority is to be made during the deliberations on a motion.

(4) The same procedure shall be followed in determining com-petencies and taking similar decisions and when more than two divergent motions are tabled.

Rule 51 Counting of votes

(1) If the Chair does not agree on the result of a vote, a check shall be carried out. If, thereafter, the Chair still does not agree, the votes shall be counted. If the Chair so directs, the count shall be carried out in accordance with paragraph (2).

(2) After the Members of the Bundestag have left the Chamber at the request of the President, all but three doors shall be closed. Two Secretaries shall take up position at each of the


three doors. At a signal from the President, the Members of the Bundestag shall re-enter the Chamber through the doors marked “Yes”, “No” or “Abstention” and shall be counted aloud by the Secretaries. The President shall give a signal to indicate the end of the count. Members of the Bundestag who enter thereafter shall not be included in the count. The President and the Secretaries on duty shall vote publicly. The President shall announce the result of the vote.

Rule 52 Vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names

A vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names may be demanded either by a parliamentary group or by five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be pre-sent, before the vote is declared open. The Secretaries shall collect the voting cards, which shall bear the names of Members and the statement “Yes”, “No” or “I abstain”, and place them in the urns provided for the purpose. After the voting cards have been collected, the President shall de-clare the vote closed. The Secretaries shall count the votes. The President shall announce the result.

Rule 53 Inadmissibility of a vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names

A vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names shall not be taken on

a) the strength of a committee; b) the shortening of a time limit; c) the time of a sitting and the agenda; d) the adjournment of a sitting; e) the adjournment or closure of a debate; f) the separation of a question into parts; g) the referral of an item of business to a committee.

VII.Committees

43

VII. Committees 44

Rule 54 Permanent committees and special committees

(1) The Bundestag shall set up permanent committees for the preparation of its deliberations. It may set up special com-mittees to deal with specific questions.

(2) Insofar as the Basic Law or federal laws prescribe or permit the setting up of committees, their setting up and procedure shall be governed by the provisions of these Rules of Proce-dure, unless the Basic Law, federal laws, or special rules of procedure provide otherwise.

> Committees of inquiry: Article 44 of the Basic Law> Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections: Article 41 of the Basic Law and the Law on the Scrutiny of Elections> Committee on the Affairs of the European Union: Article 45 of the Basic Law> Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee: Article 45a of the Basic Law> Petitions Committee: Article 45c of the Basic Law; Act on the Powers of the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag > Committee for the Election of Judges: Article 95, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law; Act on the Election of Judges > Committee of Delegates: Article 94, paragraph (1), second sen-tence of the Basic Law; Act on the Federal Constitutional Court> Mediation Committee: Article 77 of the Basic Law; Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee

Rule 55 Setting up of subcommittees

(1) To prepare its work, each committee may, from among its members, set up subcommittees for specific tasks, unless one third of its members object. In exceptional cases the parliamentary groups may also nominate Members of the Bundestag who are not members of the committee.

(2) In appointing the chairperson of a subcommittee, the com-mittee shall take the relative strengths of the parliamentary groups into account (Rule 12). If the subcommittee is set up for a specific period of time, it may only be dissolved

VII. Committees 45

prematurely if one third of the committee members do not object; otherwise the committee may dissolve the subcom-mittee at any time. The subcommittee shall submit its re-port to the committee.

(3) Each parliamentary group on the committee must, upon its demand, be represented by at least one member on the sub-committee. In all other respects, the principles laid down in Rule 12 shall be taken into account.

(4) If an item of business has been referred to several commit-tees or if a particular item falls within the terms of refer-ence of several committees, these committees may form a joint subcommittee.

Rule 56 Study commissions

(1) The Bundestag may set up a study commission for the prep-aration of decisions on wide-ranging and significant issues. It shall be obliged to do so upon a motion of one quarter of its Members. The motion shall specify the commission’s terms of reference.

(2) The members of the study commission shall be nominated in line with an agreement reached among the parliamentary groups and be appointed by the President. If no agreement can be reached, the parliamentary groups shall nominate the members in proportion to their respective strengths. Apart from the members of the parliamentary groups referred to in paragraph (3), the study commission should not comprise more than nine members.

(3) Each parliamentary group may delegate one member and, upon a decision of the Bundestag, two or more members to the study commission.

(4) The study commission shall submit its report in time for a debate on it to take place in the Bundestag before the end of the electoral term. If no final report can be presented, it shall submit an interim report, on the basis of which the Bundestag shall decide whether the commission should continue or discontinue its work.

VII. Committees 46

Rule 56 a Technology assessments

(1) The Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment shall be responsible for commissioning tech-nology assessments and for analysing and evaluating them for the German Bundestag. Technology assessments may be commissioned from institutions outside the Bundestag.

(2) The Committee on Education, Research and Technology Assessment shall draw up principles governing technology assessments and shall base its decision in individual cases on these principles.

Rule 57 Number of committee members

(1) The Bundestag shall determine the system governing the composition of committees pursuant to Rule 12 as well as the number of members. Every Member of the Bundestag shall in principle serve on a committee.

(2) The parliamentary groups shall appoint committee mem-bers and their substitutes. The President shall appoint non-attached Members of the Bundestag as committee members who participate in the deliberations without having the right to vote.

(3) The President shall inform the Bundestag of the names of the members first appointed and of any subsequent changes.

(4) To assist the committee members, one staff member from each parliamentary group may be permitted to attend the committee meetings.

Rule 58 Appointment of chairpersons and deputy chairpersonsThe committees shall appoint their chairpersons and depu-ty chairpersons in accordance with the agreements reached in the Council of Elders.

VII. Committees 47

Rule 59 Rights and duties of the chairperson

(1) The chairperson shall prepare, convene and preside over committee meetings and implement the committee’s deci-sions.

(2) The chairperson shall permit members to speak in the order in which they have requested leave to speak, with due re-gard to the principle laid down in Rule 28, paragraph (1), second sentence.

(3) Participants in the meeting who are not Members of the Bundestag, as well as any other persons present, shall be subject during the meeting to the chairperson’s power to take measures for the maintenance of order.

(4) If the orderly conduct of a meeting is no longer assured, the chairperson may suspend the meeting or terminate it in agreement with the parliamentary groups on the committee.

Rule 60 Convening of committee meetings

(1) The chairperson may convene committee meetings on his or her own authority within the scope of the timetable drawn up by the Council of Elders, unless the committee decides otherwise in individual instances.

(2) The chairperson shall be obliged to convene a meeting on the next possible date within the timetable if a parliamenta-ry group on the committee or at least one third of the com-mittee members so demand and at the same time inform the chairperson of the proposed agenda.

(3) The chairperson shall only be authorised to convene a meeting outside the timetable or at a place other than the permanent seat of the Bundestag if a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag so de-mand, or if the committee has reached a unanimous deci-sion to that effect and the President has given his or her permission.

VII. Committees 48

Rule 61 Agenda for committee meetings

(1) The date and the agenda shall be determined by the chair-person unless the committee has taken a prior decision thereon. As a rule, the agenda shall be communicated to the committee members three days before the meeting.

(2) The committee may modify the agenda by a majority of its members; it may, however, place additional items on it only if a parliamentary group or one third of the committee members do not object.

(3) The agenda for every committee meeting together with the venue, date and, to the extent that it has been agreed, the duration of the meeting, shall be communicated to the fed-eral ministries concerned and to the Bundesrat.

Rule 62 Functions of committees

(1) The committees shall be obliged to attend to matters re-ferred to them without delay. As bodies responsible for pre-paring the decisions of the Bundestag, they shall be under a duty to recommend to the Bundestag definite decisions that may relate only to items of business referred to them or to questions directly connected therewith. They may, howev-er, take up other questions falling within their terms of ref-erence; they shall deal promptly with affairs of the Europe-an Union of relevance to their area of competence, indepen-dently of whether such matters have been referred to them. Broader competencies conferred on individual committees by the Basic Law, federal laws, these Rules of Procedure or by a decision of the Bundestag shall remain unaffected.

(2) Ten weeks of sittings after an item of business has been referred to a committee, a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag may demand that the committee, through the chairperson or rapporteur, submit to the Bundestag a report on the progress of its delibera-tions. If they so demand, the report shall be placed on the agenda of the Bundestag.

VII. Committees 49

Rule 63 The lead committee

(1) The report to the Bundestag pursuant to Rule 66 may only be submitted by the lead committee.

(2) If an item of business has been referred to several commit-tees (Rule 80), the committees concerned and the lead com-mittee shall agree an appropriate time limit for the submis-sion of their comments. If such comments are not made available to the lead committee within the agreed time lim-it, or if no agreement on such a time limit can be reached, the lead committee may report to the Bundestag, but not earlier than the fourth week of sittings after the item of business has been referred to it.

Rule 64 Committee business

(1) The business of a committee shall consist of all items and questions within its terms of reference that have been referred to it (Rule 62, paragraph (1), third sentence).

(2) If several items concerning the same subject have been referred to it, the committee shall decide which item shall serve as the basis for its recommendation to the Bundestag. Other items relating to the same subject may be declared disposed of, even if they have not, or only in part, been considered in the committee deliberations. If a parliamenta-ry group on the committee objects, a vote must be taken on the items concerned. The recommendation that the items be declared disposed of or rejected shall be submitted to the Bundestag.

Rule 65 Nomination of rapporteursThe chairperson shall nominate one or more rapporteurs for each item of business, unless the committee decides otherwise.

VII. Committees 50

Rule 66 Reports

(1) Committee reports to the Bundestag on items of business shall, as a rule, be made in writing. They may be supple-mented orally.

(2) The reports shall contain the recommendations of the lead committee together with the reasons therefor, the opinion of the minority, and the comments of the committees con-cerned. If local authority associations have stated their po-sition pursuant to Rule 69, paragraph (5), the main points must be contained in the report; if hearings have been held in accordance with Rule 70, paragraph (1), the main points should be contained in the report.

Rule 67 Committee quorumA quorum shall exist if the majority of committee members are present. A quorum shall be deemed to exist unless, prior to a vote, a member of the committee demands a count to as-certain the presence of a quorum. The chairperson may, for a specified period of time, postpone the vote prior to which a count to ascertain the presence of a quorum was demanded and, if there is no objection, continue the debate or call an-other item on the agenda. If, after the lack of a quorum has been ascertained and the meeting has been suspended for a specified period of time, there is still no quorum after the meeting has been resumed, the third sentence shall apply.

Rule 68 Summoning of a member of the Federal Government to committee meetingsThe right of a committee to demand the presence of a mem-ber of the Federal Government shall also apply if the per-son concerned is to be heard at a public meeting. The deci-sion on a motion to that effect shall be taken at a meeting that is not open to the public.


VII. Committees 51

Rule 69 Non-public committee meetings

(1) Committee meetings shall in principle not be open to the public. The committee may decide to admit the public dur-ing the discussion of a particular item of business or parts thereof. A meeting shall be public if the press and other vis-itors are, in accordance with the space available, permitted to attend.

(2) Members of the Bundestag not belonging to a committee may attend non-public meetings of that committee without taking part in the deliberations unless the Bundestag, in setting up the committees, decides to restrict access to the meetings of individual committees to titular committee members and their named substitutes. This restriction may be imposed subsequently with regard to the consideration of specific questions within the terms of reference of the committees. The committees may decide to lift such restric-tions in individual instances with regard to specific items to be discussed.

(3) If a committee whose proceedings are not confidential dis-cusses items submitted by Members of the Bundestag, the agenda shall be sent to the first-named mover of such item if he or she is not a member of the committee. He or she may attend the meeting without having the right to vote, or be represented by one of the other movers. In special cases, the committee shall also invite other Members of the Bun-destag to take part in its deliberations without being enti-tled to vote or permit them to attend.

(4) Subject to statutory restrictions on the right of access, the chairpersons of the parliamentary groups shall be entitled to participate in all meetings of committees and special committees (Rule 54) without having the right to vote. They may instruct a member of their parliamentary group to represent them.

VII. Committees 52

(5) If the committee discusses a bill referred to it as the lead committee which affects major interests of municipalities and associations of municipalities, the local-authority asso-ciations at federal level shall be given an opportunity to state their position before a decision is taken in the commit-tee. Major interests within the meaning of the first sentence above are those which are affected by laws which have to be implemented in whole or in part by municipalities or asso-ciations of municipalities, directly affect their public financ-es, or have an impact on their administrative organisation. The provision of the first sentence may be disregarded in the case of government bills if the views of the local-authority associations are evident from the explanatory memoranda on these bills. The rights of the committees as laid down in Rule 70, paragraph (1) shall remain unaffected.

(6) If participation in committee meetings is restricted to titular members and their named substitutes, one of the movers of a motion who is not a member of the committee may attend the meeting in order to explain the reasons for the motion.

(7) The provisions of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security shall apply to deliberations on material classified CONFIDENTIAL or higher.

(8) Where several committees discuss the same item of busi-ness at a joint meeting they shall vote separately.

Rule 69 a Extended public committee deliberations

(1) In the final deliberations on the items referred to them, the committees shall, in consultation with the Council of El-ders and in agreement with the committees asked for an opinion, conduct public debates, in the course of which the recommendation for a resolution and the report of the lead committee shall be adopted. The chairperson of the lead committee shall convene the meeting in agreement with the committee asked for an opinion. The agenda shall be com-municated to the Members of the Bundestag, the Bundesrat and the Federal Government.

VII. Committees 53

(2) The lead committee shall determine the form and duration of the debate in agreement with the committees asked for an opinion. The chairperson of the lead committee shall preside over the meeting. He or she shall have the rights available to the President for the maintenance of order within the framework of plenary sittings, with the excep-tion of the rights pursuant to Rule 38.

(3) Where it has not been decided otherwise, the chairperson shall grant leave to speak pursuant to Rule 59, paragraph (2). If the chairperson wishes to participate in the debate as a speaker, he or she shall vacate the Chair during this time. All the Members of the Bundestag shall have the right to speak and the right to move substantive motions. Procedur-al motions may be moved only by the members of the lead committee, their substitutes and members who participate in the deliberations of this committee without having the right to vote.

(4) All the titular members of the lead committee and, where substitutes deputise for Members, the substitutes shall be entitled to vote.

(5) If the lead committee has decided to conduct extended pub-lic committee deliberations, one quarter of its members may demand that the item be discussed by the Bundestag in a general debate instead. An item on which extended public committee deliberations have taken place cannot be the subject of another debate in the plenary without a special agreement to this effect having been reached in the Council of Elders. However, the lead committee may de-mand that the item in question be considered again in the plenary, with this consideration being restricted to a report given by a spokesperson from the committee. The spokes-person shall, within five minutes, outline the various posi-tions held in the committee.

VII. Committees 54

Rule 70 Public hearings

(1) For the purpose of obtaining information on a subject under debate, a committee may hold public hearings of experts, representatives of interest groups and other persons who can furnish information. Where an item of business has been referred to it, the lead committee shall be obliged to hold such hearings if one quarter of its members so de-mand; where items of business that have not been referred to it are dealt with pursuant to Rule 62, paragraph (1), third sentence, a hearing shall be held upon a decision of the committee to that effect. Such a decision shall be admissi-ble only if a motion to that effect has been placed on the committee’s agenda.

(2) Where a hearing is demanded by a minority of the commit-tee members in accordance with paragraph (1), the persons named by that minority must be heard. If the committee de-cides to limit the number of persons to be heard, the minor-ity may only name a proportion of the total number of per-sons to be heard which corresponds to its relative strength on the committee.

(3) The committee asked for an opinion may, in agreement with the lead committee, decide to hold a hearing insofar as the lead committee does not make use of the possibility afforded by paragraph (1) or restricts its hearing to aspects of the item falling exclusively within its own terms of reference. The lead committee shall be notified of the venue and date of the hearing as well as of the persons to be heard. During the hearing, members of the lead committee shall have the right to ask questions; this right may, in agreement with the lead committee, be restricted to specific committee members.

(4) Where a hearing by the lead committee concerns bills with-in the meaning of Rule 69, paragraph (5), first sentence, the local-authority associations at federal level shall be given an opportunity to participate in the hearing; in such cases, these representatives shall not be deducted from the number of persons who can be named by the minority

VII. Committees 55

pursuant to paragraph (2). Rule 69, paragraph (5), third sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(5) The committee may enter into a general discussion with the persons furnishing information insofar as this is necessary to clarify the facts. The speaking time shall be limited. The committee may instruct individual members to con-duct the hearing; in this connection, every parliamentary group on the committee shall be taken into account.

(6) In preparation for a public hearing, the committee shall advise the persons furnishing information of the questions which they will be asked. It may request them to submit written comments.

(7) The expenses of experts and of persons furnishing informa-tion shall be reimbursed only on the basis of formal invita-tions decided upon by the committee with the prior con-sent of the President.

(8) Paragraphs (1) to (7) shall also apply to hearings that are not open to the public.

Rule 71 Moving motions in committee; Closure of the debate

(1) A motion may be moved by members of the committee, their substitutes when deputising for a committee member from their parliamentary group, and members participating in the committee deliberations without having the right to vote. A written motion by an absent member of the commit-tee may only be put to the vote if it is taken over by a mem-ber of the committee entitled to vote who is present at the meeting.

(2) Members of the Bundestag who are not members of the committee may submit to the lead committee motions for amendments to items referred to that committee. In such cases, the movers may, outside the procedure pursuant to Rule 69 a, attend the committee meeting without being entitled to vote.

VII. Committees 56

(3) A motion for closure of the debate may be put to the vote only after every parliamentary group has had an opportuni-ty to speak on the subject under debate and after it has been possible for views differing from those of the relevant par-liamentary groups to be heard.

Rule 72 Voting outside a meetingThe committee may unanimously authorise the chairperson in particularly urgent cases to have a written vote taken on specific matters during weeks in which the Bundestag is not sitting. If the committee makes use of this possibility, the chairperson shall communicate to the committee members a draft recommendation on which a vote may be taken within a specified period of time, with the first sentence of Rule 46 applying mutatis mutandis. A written vote shall not be tak-en if a meeting of the committee takes place in accordance with the provisions of Rule 60, paragraph (2) or (3).

Rule 73 Minutes of committee meetings

(1) Minutes of every committee meeting shall be prepared in writing. They must at least contain all motions and the de-cisions taken by the committee. The permission of the Pres-ident shall be required for a stenographic record of commit-tee meetings to be made.

(2) Minutes of committee meetings that are not open to the pub-lic (Rule 69, paragraph (1), first sentence) shall in principle not constitute classified material within the meaning of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security (see Rule 2, para-graph (5) of these Rules). Insofar as the minutes are not to be made directly available to the public, they shall bear a note from the committee to that effect; details shall be regulated by the guidelines to be issued pursuant to paragraph (3). Minutes of public meetings (Rule 69, paragraph (1), second sentence, and Rule 70, paragraph (1)) may not bear such a note.

VII. Committees 57

(3) The President shall, in consultation with the Presidium, issue special guidelines for the treatment of minutes.1

Rule 74 Applicability of the provisions of the Rules of ProcedureInsofar as the rules governing procedure in committee do not provide otherwise, the provisions of the Rules of Proce-dure shall, with the exception of Rule 126, apply mutatis mutandis to the committees and study commissions.

1 Cf. Appendix 2, Guidelines for the Treatment of the Minutes of Committee Meetings under Rule 73, paragraph (3) of the Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag, p. 149 et seq.

VIII.Procedure for items of business

58

Rule 75 Items of business

(1) The following items of business may be placed on the agenda of the Bundestag as autonomous items: a) Bills; b) Committee recommendations pursuant to Article 77,

paragraph (2) of the Basic Law (Mediation Committee); c) Motions for the rejection of objections lodged by the

Bundesrat; d) Motions; e) Reports and documents for the information of the

Bundestag (communications); f) Major interpellations addressed to the Federal

Government, and replies; g) Election proposals insofar as they have been distributed

as printed papers; h) Recommendations and reports on matters concerning

the scrutiny of elections, immunity and the Rules of Procedure;

i) Recommendations of the Bundestag and reports on petitions;

j) Recommendations of the Bundestag and reports of the Committee on Legal Affairs on proceedings before the Federal Constitutional Court;

k) Recommendations and reports of committees of inquiry; l) Interim reports of committees;

(m) Ordinances insofar as they have to be submitted to the Bundestag in accordance with statutory requirements;

(2) The following shall be non-autonomous items: a) Recommendations and reports of committees; b) Motions for amendments; c) Motions for resolutions on bills, communications,

government policy statements, major interpellations, resolutions of the European Parliament, EU documents, stability measures, as well as ordinances.



(3) Minor interpellations shall also be considered items within the meaning of Rule 76; they may not be placed on the agenda as autonomous items.

Rule 76 Items of business submitted by Members of the Bundestag

(1) Items of business submitted by Members of the Bundestag (Rule 75) shall be signed by a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, unless the Rules of Procedure prescribe or permit otherwise.

(2) Bills must, motions may, be accompanied by a short explanatory memorandum.

Rule 77 Treatment of items of business

(1) Items of business shall generally be distributed to the Mem-bers of the Bundestag, to the members of the Bundesrat and to the federal ministries by electronic means. Distribution in paper form shall remain permissible.

(2) In respect of items of business pursuant to Rule 75, para-graph (1), subparagraph (e), which serve as information for the Bundestag (reports, memoranda, programmes, expert opinions, etc.), the President may, in consultation with the Council of Elders and insofar as the items in question are not based on statutory provisions or decisions of the Bundes-tag, dispense, in whole or in part, with having such material distributed. In such cases the President shall, in a Notifica-tion for Members, acknowledge receipt of such items and, in agreement with the Council of Elders, state the manner in which they will be dealt with. Such items shall be listed in a printed paper which shall also indicate the rooms in the Bundestag where the items concerned can be studied.

Rule 78 Reading of bills

(1) Bills shall be given three readings; treaties with foreign states and similar agreements which regulate the political


relations of the Federation or refer to matters of federal leg-islation (Article 59, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law) shall in principle be given two readings, and three readings only by decision of the Bundestag; all other items of business shall in principle be given one reading. As far as supplementary budget bills are concerned, Rule 95, paragraph (1), sixth sentence shall apply.

(2) Motions may be referred to a committee without debate. A vote may be taken on them even if they have not been distributed, unless a parliamentary group objects or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, object. In all other respects, the provisions relating to the reading of bills shall apply mutatis mutandis to motions.

(3) Where items pursuant to paragraph (1) are given two read-ings, the provision concerning the final vote (Rule 86) shall, in addition to the provisions relating to the second reading (Rules 81, 82, and Rule 83, paragraph (3)), apply mutatis mutandis to the final reading.

(4) If an item of business is given only one reading, Rule 82, paragraph (1), second sentence shall apply to motions for amendments.

(5) Unless the Rules of Procedure prescribe or permit other-wise, the readings shall begin at the earliest on the third day after the printed papers have been distributed (Rule 123).

(6) If agreement is reached in the Council of Elders in advance that, instead of a debate being held, the written versions of the speeches are to be included in the official record, this shall be indicated for the items concerned on the agenda. In derogation of this, a debate shall take place if a parlia-mentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bun-destag so demand by 18.00 hrs on the previous day. In gen-eral, each parliamentary group may submit one speech of an appropriate length to be included in the minutes. The length for each parliamentary group should be based on the speaking times to which the parliamentary groups would


be entitled in a debate lasting 30 minutes. The texts of the speeches should be submitted to the Chair at the latest before the relevant item on the agenda is called.


Rule 79 First reading of billsDuring the first reading, a general debate shall be held only upon the recommendation of the Council of Elders or if, be-fore the relevant item on the agenda is called, a parliamen-tary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand or if a de-cision to this effect has been taken pursuant to Rule 80, paragraph (4). Only the basic principles of a bill shall be debated. Substantive motions may not be moved.

Rule 80 Referral to a committee

(1) At the end of the first reading the bill shall be referred to a committee unless a different decision is taken pursuant to paragraph (2); only in special cases may it be referred to several committees simultaneously, one of which shall be made the lead committee. Other committees may, in con-sultation with the lead committee, participate in the discus-sion of specific aspects of the bill in order to submit an opinion.

(2) Upon a motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, the Bundestag may decide with a two-thirds majority of the Members present to pro-ceed to the second reading without referral to a committee. The time limit for the motion shall be governed by Rule 20, paragraph (2), third sentence. In the case of finance bills, the Budget Committee should be given an opportunity to examine the bill pursuant to Rule 96, paragraph (4) before it is given a second reading. The time limit laid down in Rule 96, paragraph (8), second sentence shall not apply.


(3) The President may, in agreement with the Council of Elders, refer items pursuant to Rule 75, paragraph (1), sub-paragraph (e) to a committee without placing them on the agenda. A report to the Bundestag shall be made only if the committee wishes to recommend that the Bundestag take a decision going beyond acknowledgement. If the Budget Committee expresses reservations about an EU item (Rule 93) whose funding is not or evidently will not be ensured by the annual amount of own resources set aside by the European Union, being compatible with the current budget or future budgets of the Federation, the lead committee shall submit a report.

(4) Items which, as agreed in the Council of Elders, are to be dealt with in a simplified procedure, shall be grouped togeth-er as a joint item on the agenda. A single vote shall be taken, without debate, on referral of these items. If a motion that a vote be separated into parts (Rule 47) is moved, a separate vote on the proposal for referral shall not be necessary unless the motion of a Member of the Bundestag for amendment of the Council of Elders’ proposal for referral is opposed. If a Member of the Bundestag moves that an item to be dealt with in line with the simplified procedure be debated, this motion shall be voted on first. If there is a majority in favour of the motion, the item concerned shall be placed on the agenda of the current week of sittings as an additional item.

Rule 80 a Examination of bills to ensure linguistic accuracy and clarity

(1) Upon a decision of the lead committee, an editorial team established or based at the Bundestag shall examine bills to ensure linguistic accuracy and clarity and, where necessary, make recommendations to the committee. The lead committee may consult the editorial team and ask it to examine wording at any point during deliberation on a bill. This shall apply in particular to the examination of motions for amendments expected to be adopted.


(2) The editorial team shall also provide additional linguistic advice.

Rule 81 Second reading of bills

(1) The second reading shall begin with a general debate if this is recommended by the Council of Elders or demanded by a parliamentary group or demanded by five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present. It shall begin on the second day after the committee recommenda-tion and the committee report have been distributed and earlier only if, upon the motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, two thirds of the Members of the Bundestag present so decide; in the case of bills of the Federal Government which have been declared urgent (Article 81 of the Basic Law), it may be decided by a majority of the Members of the Bundestag to shorten the time limit. The time limit provided for in Rule 20, paragraph (2), third sentence shall apply to such mo-tions.

(2) The second reading shall open and close with a debate on each separate clause in the order in which it appears in the bill; it shall end with a debate on the introduction and title. A vote shall be taken after each clause has been debated.

(3) The Bundestag may decide to change the order in which clauses are debated, to debate two or more clauses jointly, or to debate parts of the same clause or various motions for amendments relating to the same subject separately.

(4) Several or all parts of a bill may be voted on jointly. Treaties with foreign states and similar treaties pursuant to Article 59, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law shall be voted upon as a whole.

> Basic Law: Article 59, paragraph (2)> Basic Law: Article 81


Rule 82 Motions for amendments and referral back to committee on second reading

(1) On second reading, amendments to bills may be moved only while the deliberations on the subject to which they relate are still in progress. Such motions shall be signed by at least one Member of the Bundestag and may be accompa-nied by a short explanatory note; if they have not yet been distributed they shall be read out.

(2) Motions for amendments to treaties with foreign states and similar treaties which regulate the political relations of the Federation or relate to matters of federal legislation (Article 59, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law) shall not be admissible.

(3) As long as the vote on the last clause has not been taken, a bill may in whole or in part be referred back also to a com-mittee other than the original committee; this also applies to those clauses of a bill that have already been debated and voted upon.


Rule 83 Grouping together of amendments

(1) The President shall arrange for any amendments adopted on second reading to be grouped together.

(2) The decisions taken on second reading shall form the basis of the third reading.

(3) Where all clauses of a bill have been rejected on second reading, the bill shall have been rejected and no further deliberations shall take place.

Rule 84 Third reading of billsA bill shall be given a third reading a) if no amendments have been adopted on second read-

ing, immediately afterwards; b) if amendments have been adopted, on the second day

after distribution of the printed papers with the amend-


ments adopted, and earlier only if, upon the motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, two thirds of the Members of the Bunde-stag present so decide; in the case of bills of the Federal Government which have been declared urgent (Article 81 of the Basic Law) it may be decided by a majority of the Members of the Bundestag to shorten the time limit. The time limit laid down in Rule 20, paragraph (2), third sentence shall apply to such motions.

The third reading shall begin with a general debate only if no such debate has taken place on second reading and if it has been recommended by the Council of Elders or de-manded by five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present.

> Basic Law: Article 81

Rule 85 Motions for amendments and referral back to committee on third reading

(1) Motions for amendments to bills on third reading shall be signed by a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag and may be accompanied by a short explanatory note. They may only relate to those clauses to which amendments have been adopted on second reading. The clause-by-clause debate shall be restricted to those clauses.

(2) Before the final vote is taken, the bill may, in whole or in part, be referred back also to a committee other than the original committee; Rule 80, paragraph (1) shall apply. If the committee proposes amendments to decisions taken by the Bundestag on second reading, its recommendation shall be given another second reading.


Rule 86 Final voteA vote on the bill shall be taken after the end of the third reading. If the decisions taken on second reading remain unchanged, the final vote shall be taken immediately. Where amendments have been made, the final vote shall be suspended until the decisions have been grouped together and distributed if a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand. No separate final vote shall be taken on treaties with foreign states and similar treaties.

Rule 87 Procedure with regard to Article 113 of the Basic Law

(1) If the Federal Government makes use of Article 113, para-graph (1), third sentence of the Basic Law, the vote shall be suspended. The bill may be placed on the agenda at the ear-liest after receipt of a statement of the position of the Feder-al Government or six weeks after receipt by the Federal President of the Federal Government’s demand.

(2) If the Federal Government demands pursuant to Article 113, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law that the Bundestag vote on the bill again, the bill shall be deemed to have been referred back to the lead committee and to the Budget Committee.

(3) If the adopted bill has already been transmitted to the Bun-desrat pursuant to Rule 122, the President shall inform the Bundesrat of the Federal Government’s demand. In this case, transmission shall be deemed not to have taken place.

> Basic Law: Article 113, paragraphs (1) and (2)

Rule 88 Treatment of motions for resolutions

(1) Votes on motions for resolutions (Rule 75, paragraph (2), subparagraph (c)) shall be taken after the final vote on the subject in question or, if no final vote is possible, after the end of the debate. Votes on motions for resolutions relating to sections of the budget may be taken on third reading.


(2) Motions for resolutions may be referred to a committee only if the movers do not object. If a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand the vote shall be post-poned to the next sitting day.

Rule 89 Convening of the Mediation CommitteeUpon the motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, the Bundestag may de-cide to demand that the Mediation Committee be convened where bills requiring the consent of the Bundesrat are con-cerned (Article 77, paragraph (2), fourth sentence of the Basic Law; Rule 75, paragraph (1), subparagraph (d) of the Rules of Procedure).

> Basic Law: Article 77, paragraph (2), fourth sentence

Rule 90 Deliberations on recommendations of the Mediation Committee

(1) If a compromise proposal of the Mediation Committee in-volves an amendment to a bill adopted by the Bundestag, the procedure concerning this compromise proposal shall be governed by Rule 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee.

(2) Deliberations on the recommendation for a resolution is-sued by the Mediation Committee shall begin on the second day after distribution of the printed paper; they may only begin earlier if, upon the motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, two thirds of the Members of the Bundestag present so decide. The time limit for the motion shall be governed by Rule 20, par-agraph (2), third sentence.

> Rule 10 of the Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee


Rule 91 Objection lodged by the BundesratA motion for rejecting an objection lodged by the Bundesrat to a bill adopted by the Bundestag (Article 77, paragraph (4) of the Basic Law) shall be voted upon without any reasons being stated for the motion and without debate. Before the vote is taken only statements may be made. The vote shall be taken by counting the votes in accordance with Rule 51 unless a vote using voting cards bearing Members’ names is demanded (Rule 52).


Rule 92 OrdinancesOrdinances issued by the Federal Government which re-quire the consent of the Bundestag or the repeal of which it may demand within a specified period of time shall be re-ferred to the appropriate committees direct by the President in consultation with the Council of Elders. In so doing, the President shall set a time limit for the submission of the report to the Bundestag by the lead committee. The report of the committee shall be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Bundestag. If the committee fails to submit the report in time, the ordinance shall, also without the com-mittee report, be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Bundestag for it to take a decision.

Rule 93 Forwarding and referral of EU documents

(1) Documents, reports, communications, notifications and other information concerning European Union affairs for-warded to the Bundestag by the Federal Government or the organs of the European Union, as well as communications of the European Parliament (EU documents), shall serve as a basis for the Bundestag in exercising its rights derived from Article 23 of the Basic Law and the rights it has to participate in matters concerning the European Union.


(2) The Bundestag shall not be entitled to waive its rights to receive EU documents from the Federal Government if an objection is raised by a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag.

(3) EU documents which include projects or communications within the meaning of Sections 3 and 8 of the Act on Coop-eration between the Federal Government and the German Bundestag in Matters concerning the European Union, as well as resolutions of the European Parliament, are, in prin-ciple, eligible for referral. In the decision on referral, the relevance of the item for deliberations shall be assessed in consultation with the parliamentary groups (prioritisation). Other EU documents shall be listed in a suitable form for information; if a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag so demand, a referral of such documents shall take place.

(4) The appropriate committees may declare EU documents which have not been referred to them, or not yet been re-ferred to them, to be items for discussion. The committees shall inform the chairperson of the Committee on the Af-fairs of the European Union which EU documents they have declared to be items for discussion.

(5) The chairperson of the Committee on the Affairs of the Eu-ropean Union shall, in consultation with the other commit-tees, submit to the President a proposal for referral of the EU documents received and of the EU documents declared by the committees to be items for discussion. In consulta-tion with the parliamentary groups, the President shall re-fer each of the EU documents without delay to one commit-tee as the lead committee and to other committees as com-mittees asked for an opinion. If a committee or parliamentary group raises an objection to a referral which is to take place, or has already taken place, the Council of Elders shall decide on the matter.

(6) The titles of the EU documents referred shall be recorded in a list, which shall be distributed and shall indicate to which committees the items have been referred. EU docu-


ments as defined in the first sentence of paragraph (3) for which no parliamentary group has declared relevance for deliberations or proposed referral shall be presented in a separate section of the list.

(7) An EU document shall be distributed as a Bundestag print-ed paper if the chairperson of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union so requests in the proposal for refer-ral, or if the lead committee submits a recommendation for a resolution going beyond acknowledgement. EU docu-ments other than those listed in sentence 1 of paragraph (3) shall not be distributed as printed papers; if a recommenda-tion for a resolution refers to an EU document of this type, information shall merely be provided on the main points contained in the document, whilst taking into account respect for confidentiality.

(8) Upon the demand of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, written reports by the Federal Government presented to the Bundestag pursuant to Section 9, paragraph (5) of the Act on Cooperation be-tween the Federal Government and the German Bundestag in Matters concerning the European Union must be placed on the agenda of a Bundestag sitting and debated within three weeks of being received.

Rule 93 a Committee deliberations on EU documents

(1) In their deliberations on EU documents, the committees shall also monitor adherence to the principles of subsidiari-ty and proportionality. If the filing of an objection of non-compliance is planned in this context, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall be informed with-out delay, in order to give it the opportunity to state its opinion in the first instance. If the lead committee only in-tends to acknowledge the document in question, a report must nevertheless be given to the Bundestag if the Commit-tee on the Affairs of the European Union expresses con-cerns regarding infringement of the principles of subsidiari-


ty and proportionality. The committees shall take into account in their decision-making processes the deadlines which apply at the level of the European Union.

(2) The committees may base their deliberations and recom-mendation for a resolution on a follow-up document to an EU document previously referred to them. A lead commit-tee may also present a recommendation for a resolution more than once, in particular in order to take account of new developments. Those committees asked for an opinion shall be informed of this and shall receive an opportunity to add to the opinion stated, or state a new opinion, within the time limits set by the lead committee.

(3) Even once the Bundestag has stated its opinion on a partic-ular EU document, the committee named as the lead com-mittee for the document in question remains responsible for dealing with efforts by the Federal Government to achieve agreement with the Bundestag once a requirement of parliamentary approval has been stated. Paragraph (2), third sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis. The lead com-mittee must then present a new recommendation for a reso-lution to the Bundestag.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis to agreement between the Bundestag and the Federal Government on the opening of negotiations on accessions and treaty amend-ments pursuant to Section 10 of the Act on Cooperation be-tween the Federal Government and the German Bundestag in Matters concerning the European Union.

(5) The committees may invite Members of the European Parlia-ment, as well as members of the Council and of the Commis-sion of the European Union, or persons commissioned by them, to attend their deliberations on European affairs. They may deliberate on EU documents jointly with committees of the European Parliament with the same terms of reference.

(6) To prepare decisions on EU documents, the committees may send delegations to a committee of the European Par-liament with the same terms of reference or to other organs of the European Union.


Rule 93 b Committee on the Affairs of the European Union

(1) The Committee on the Affairs of the European Union to be appointed by the Bundestag pursuant to Article 45 of the Basic Law shall have the task of dealing with EU documents pursuant to Rule 93, paragraph (1) in accordance with the Rules of Procedure and the decisions of the Bundestag.

(2) Upon the motion of a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, the Bundestag may em-power the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union, in respect of specifically designated EU documents or items connected with such documents, to exercise the rights of the Bundestag under Article 23 of the Basic Law vis-à-vis the Federal Government, as well as the rights granted to the Bundestag in the contractual foundations of the European Union. Insofar as these rights are enshrined in the Respon-sibility for Integration Act, empowerment of this kind is only possible where no requirement exists for the Bunde-stag to be involved through adoption of a law. Even where it has not been empowered as set out in the first sentence, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union may exercise the rights of the Bundestag pursuant to the first sentence, unless one of the committees concerned objects. The third sentence of this paragraph shall not apply in the area of the common foreign and security policy, or to deci-sions pursuant to Section 9, paragraph (1) of the Responsi-bility for Integration Act. The Committee may exercise the rights of the Bundestag pursuant to Article 45, third sen-tence of the Basic Law in accordance with the following provisions. The Bundestag’s right at any time to take a decision itself on a matter concerning the European Union shall remain unaffected.

(3) In the case of its empowerment pursuant to paragraph (2), first sentence, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall, before stating its opinion to the Federal Gov-ernment, request an opinion on the EU document from the committees concerned. If the Committee on the Affairs of


the European Union wishes to deviate from the opinion of one or more committees, a joint meeting with the commit-tees asked for an opinion should be convened. In urgent cases, the chairpersons of the committees asked for an opin-ion may have a written vote taken pursuant to Rule 72, sec-ond sentence.

(4) Paragraph (3) shall apply mutatis mutandis if the Commit-tee on the Affairs of the European Union wishes to exercise its rights pursuant to paragraph (2), third sentence. A lead committee may, stating its reasons, demand that the Com-mittee on the Affairs of the European Union examine whether to exercise its right pursuant to paragraph (2), sec-ond sentence; if this is rejected, paragraph (6) shall apply mutatis mutandis. Committees asked for an opinion must be involved if the lead committee and the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union view this as necessary; paragraph (3), third sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(5) In derogation of Rule 60, the chairperson of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall also be entitled to convene a meeting of the committee outside the Bundes-tag’s timetable or at a place other than the permanent seat of the Bundestag if the schedule of the relevant organs of the European Union so requires and the President has given consent.

(6) In respect of the content of and the reasons for the opinion stated to the Federal Government by the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union on European documents, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall sub-mit a report; this report shall be distributed as a Bundestag printed paper and placed on the agenda within three weeks of sittings of its distribution. A debate shall, however, take place only if a parliamentary group so demands or if five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand.

(7) In respect of an EU document which has been referred to it as a committee asked for an opinion, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union may move motions for


amendments to the recommendation for a resolution sub-mitted by the lead committee; the motion for an amend-ment shall be submitted to the President by 18.00 hours at the latest on the day before the recommendation for a resolution on the EU document is considered.

(8) German Members of the European Parliament shall have ac-cess to the meetings of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union; specific German Members of the Europe-an Parliament shall be entitled to attend as representatives. Such Members of the European Parliament entitled to par-ticipate in the deliberations shall, upon the proposal of the parliamentary groups in the Bundestag from whose parties German Members have been elected to the European Parlia-ment, be appointed by the President of the German Bundes-tag to serve until the next European Parliament elections or until the end of the German Bundestag’s electoral term, whichever is the earliest. The Members of the European Parliament appointed shall be authorised to propose that items be deliberated upon, as well as to provide informa-tion and state an opinion during the deliberations of the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union.

(9) The Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall draw up principles governing the treatment of EU items sent to it and use them as the basis for the recommenda-tions for resolutions it submits to the Bundestag or the opinions it addresses to the Federal Government.

Rule 93 cSubsidiarity objectionsThe decision to raise a subsidiarity objection, pursuant to Article 6 of the Protocol on the Application of the Princi-ples of Subsidiarity and Proportionality, shall in principle be taken by the Bundestag; in accordance with Rule 93b, paragraphs (2) to (4), the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union may also take such decisions.


Rule 93 d Subsidiarity actions

(1) If the Bundestag decides to bring an action pursuant to Ar-ticle 8 of the Protocol on the Application of the Principles of Subsidiarity and Proportionality (subsidiarity action), the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall be responsible for carrying out this action, including con-ducting the case before the Court of Justice of the European Union. This includes drafting the application initiating proceedings and nominating a legal counsel unless the Bundestag has already done so.

(2) If at least one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag de-mand that an action is brought (Article 23, paragraph (1a), second sentence of the Basic Law), the motion must be ta-bled in time to ensure that adequate deliberation is possible at the Bundestag within the time limit for bringing an ac-tion. The motion must set out at least the main grounds for the action. Paragraph (1) shall apply with the proviso that the nomination of a legal counsel must take place in agree-ment with the movers of the motion and that the movers must be adequately involved in the drafting of the applica-tion instituting proceedings and in the implementation of the action. The movers must nominate a counsel. Rule 69, paragraph (3), third sentence shall apply.

(3) Dissenting opinions supported by at least one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag pursuant to Section 12, para-graph (1), sentence 2 of the Responsibility for Integration Act, shall also be included in the application. Paragraph (2), third sentence, clause 2 and the fourth and fifth sentences shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(4) Where the deadline for submitting a subsidiarity action falls at a time outside the timetable of the Bundestag, the Committee on the Affairs of the European Union shall be authorised to bring the action, insofar as the Bundestag has not already taken a decision. Rule 93b, paragraph (2), third sentence shall apply mutatis mutandis.


Rule 94 Stability measuresMeasures of the Federal Government pursuant to Article 8, paragraph (1) of the Act to Promote Economic Stability and Growth (stability measures) shall be referred by the President to the Budget Committee direct. The Budget Committee shall deliberate on the measure at the latest within the week of sittings following receipt of the state-ment of the Bundesrat’s position. The report of the Budget Committee shall be placed on the agenda at the latest one day before the expiry of four weeks after the measure has been received by the Bundestag. If by this time the Budget Committee has not made any recommendation, the measure shall be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Bundestag without a report by the com mittee. Any motions for amendments to stability measures may only aim at a cut in expenditure (Section 42 of the Federal Budget Code).

Rule 95 Budgetary bills

(1) Budgetary bills shall be the draft budget law and the draft budget, bills to amend these drafts (bills on budgetary amendments), and bills to amend the budget law and the budget (bills on supplementary budgets), as well as other bills relating to the budget. All budgetary bills shall be re-ferred to the Budget Committee; upon their demand, the specialised committees shall be permitted to express their opinion. Rule 63, paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutan-dis. The Budget Committee should report on the comments of the committees concerned. The President shall in princi-ple refer bills on budgetary amendments without a first reading. Bills on supplementary budgets may be referred to the Budget Committee by the President on the proposal of the Council of Elders without a first reading and be dealt with conclusively in one reading.

(2) The second reading of the draft budget law and the draft budget shall not take place earlier than six weeks, and the


final reading of bills on supplementary budgets not earlier than three weeks after their submission, unless a statement of the position of the Bundesrat has been received before expiry of the time limit specified in Article 110, paragraph (3) of the Basic Law.

(3) In addition to the provisions relating to the second reading (Rules 81 and 82), the provision relating to the final vote (Rule 86) shall apply mutatis mutandis to the final reading of bills on supplementary budgets.

(4) The Budget Committee shall deliberate on bills on supple-mentary budgets at the latest within the week of sittings fol-lowing receipt of the statement of the position of the Bun-desrat. The report of the Budget Committee shall be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Bundestag. If the Budget Committee has not completed its deliberations within the prescribed time limit, the bill shall be placed on the agenda for the next sitting of the Bundestag without a committee report.


Rule 96 Finance bills

(1) Finance bills shall be all bills which, because of their fun-damental importance or financial scope, are likely to have a considerable impact on the public finances of the Federa-tion or the Länder and which do not constitute budgetary bills within the meaning of Rule 95. In the event of doubts as to the nature of the bill, the Bundestag shall decide thereon after hearing the Budget Committee.

(2) Finance bills shall, after the first reading, be referred to the Budget Committee and the specialised committee. Where bills become finance bills following the adoption of a mo-tion for an amendment in committee, the committee shall inform the President accordingly. The President shall refer the text adopted by the committee to the Budget Commit-tee; in this connection the President may set a time limit.


(3) Finance bills introduced by Members of the Bundestag must set out the financial implications in the explanatory memorandum attached to such bills. The President shall af-ford the Federal Government an opportunity to state, with-in a period of four weeks, its position with regard to the im-plications for the public finances of the Federation and the Länder. The report of the Budget Committee may be placed on the agenda only after receipt of a statement of the posi-tion of the Federal Government or after four weeks.

(4) Insofar as the finance bill affects the public finances of the Federation, the Budget Committee shall examine its com-patibility with the current budget and future budgets. If this examination shows that the bill affects the current budget, the Budget Committee shall, together with the report, sub-mit to the Bundestag a recommendation for covering de-creases in revenue or increases in expenditure; if the bill affects future budgets, the Budget Committee’s report shall comment on the possibilities of providing cover in the fu-ture. If the Federal Government has stated its position on the recommendation, the Budget Committee shall comment on that position in its report. If the Budget Committee is unable to make a recommendation for the provision of cover, the finance bill shall be submitted to the Bundestag, which, after hearing a mover state the reasons for it, shall only discuss and decide upon the possibility of ensuring such cover. If the Bundestag too considers that such cover cannot be provided, the finance bill shall be deemed to have been disposed of.

(5) Insofar as the finance bill affects the public finances of the Länder, the Budget Committee shall in its report state the nature and extent of those implications.

(6) If the report of the Budget Committee shows that members of, or persons commissioned by, the Federal Government have expressed reservations about the financial implica-tions of the bill, of the decisions of the lead committee or of the recommendation for providing cover, the President shall afford the Federal Government an opportunity to state


its position, if it has not already done so. In that event, the report may be placed on the agenda only after receipt of a statement of the position of the Federal Government or after four weeks. If the Federal Government has stated its posi-tion, the Budget Committee should make its views thereon known to the Bundestag.

(7) If, on second reading, amendments having financial impli-cations of fundamental importance or considerable financial scope are adopted, the third reading shall, after prior discus-sions in the Budget Committee, not take place before the second week after such amendments have been adopted.

(8) Reports of the Budget Committee which contain a recom-mendation for cover may be deliberated on without com-plying with the time limit prescribed for the second reading of bills (Rule 81, paragraph (1), second sentence). As regards reports which do not contain a recommendation for cover, the time limit prescribed for the second reading may neither be shortened nor dispensed with unless the Bundestag de-cides to proceed in accordance with Rule 80, paragraph (2).

Rule 96 a Procedures pursuant to the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation

(1) If a parliamentary group on the committee or at least one third of the committee members so demand and the Presi-dent has given permission, the committee chairperson shall be obliged to convene a meeting of the committee in ques-tion outside the Bundestag’s timetable to deliberate on a motion pursuant to Article 4, paragraph (1) or Article 7, paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation.

(2) A demand for the Bundestag to deliberate pursuant to Arti-cle 4, paragraph (1), fourth sentence or Article 7, paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 4, paragraph (1) of the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation must be received by the President within seven days of its distribution as a printed paper. After receiving such a demand, the President


shall inform the parliamentary groups and the Federal Government without delay.

(3) If the Federal Government informs the Bundestag pursuant to Article 6, paragraph (1) of the Act Governing Parliamen-tary Participation by means of a written report, this report shall be distributed as a printed paper. The same applies to other written reports presented to the Bundestag. In cases defined by Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation, the chairpersons and spokes-persons of the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the De-fence Committee shall, in principle, be informed outside committee meetings pursuant to paragraph (2). If the Bun-destag has approved a request pursuant to Article 5, para-graph (3) of the Act Governing Parliamentary Participation, the general provisions apply for further reports.

(4) The provisions of the Rules of the German Bundestag on Document Security shall apply.

Rule 97 VoteofnoconfidenceintheFederalChancellor

(1) On a motion in accordance with Article 67, paragraph (1) of the Basic Law, the Bundestag may express its lack of confidence in the Federal Chancellor. The motion shall be signed by one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag or a parliamentary group comprising at least one quarter of the Members of the Bundestag and shall be worded in such a way as to propose a successor by name for election by the Bundestag. Motions that do not fulfil these conditions may not be placed on the agenda.

(2) A successor shall be elected in a single secret ballot (Rule 49), even where several candidates have been proposed. The successor shall be considered elected only if he or she receives the votes of the majority of the Members of the Bundestag.

(3) The time of the election shall be determined in accordance with Article 67, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law.


Rule 98 MotionoftheFederalChancellorforavoteofconfidence

(1) The Federal Chancellor may move a motion for a vote of confidence in accordance with Article 68 of the Basic Law; the time of the vote on the motion shall be determined in accordance with Article 68, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law.

(2) If the motion is not carried by the majority of the Members of the Bundestag, the Bundestag may, pursuant to Rule 97, par-agraph (2) and upon a motion of one quarter of its Members, elect another Federal Chancellor within twenty-one days.

> Basic Law: Article 68> Majority of the Members: Article 121 of the Basic Law

Rule 99 Urgent bills of the Federal Government under Article 81 of the Basic Law

(1) Bills of the Federal Government which it has declared to be urgent under Article 81 of the Basic Law or which have been resubmitted to the Bundestag after a state of legislative emergency has been declared shall be placed on the agenda for the next sitting if the Federal Government so demands. They may be removed from the agenda only once.

(2) A bill shall be deemed to have been rejected also if, on sec-ond or third reading, it has, either in respect of an individu-al clause or as a whole, been put to the vote twice without result owing to the lack of a quorum.


Rule 100 Major interpellationsMajor interpellations addressed to the Federal Government (Rule 75, paragraph (1), subparagraph (f)) shall be submit-ted to the President; they must be brief and succinct and may be accompanied by a short explanatory memorandum. If, in the explanatory memorandum, reference is made to other material, Rule 77, paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis.


Rule 101 Replies to and debates on major interpellationsThe President shall inform the Federal Government of the major interpellation and ask it to state if and when it will answer. On receipt of the reply, the major interpellation shall be placed on the agenda. A debate must be held if a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag so demand.

Rule 102 Refusal to reply to a major interpellationIf the Federal Government refuses to reply to a major interpellation or to do so within the next three weeks, the Bundestag may place the major interpellation on the agenda for debate. The debate must take place if a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag so demand. Prior to the debate one of the questioners may be given leave to state supplementary reasons for it.

Rule 103 Restriction of debates on major interpellationsIf the number of major interpellations is such as to jeopard-ise the proper conduct of business, the Bundestag may temporarily restrict debates thereon to a particular day in weeks of sittings. In that case too, the Bundestag may de-cide to debate individual major interpellations on another sitting day.

Rule 104 Minor interpellations

(1) In minor interpellations (Rule 75, paragraph (3)) the Feder-al Government may be asked to furnish information on spe-cifically designated issues. Questions shall be submitted to the President; they may not contain any subjective state-ments or evaluations. A brief explanatory memorandum may be attached.


(2) The President shall request the Federal Government to reply to the minor interpellations in writing within two weeks; the President may extend this time limit in consul-tation with the questioner.

Rule 105 Questions submitted by individual Members of the BundestagAny Member of the Bundestag shall be entitled to address brief questions to the Federal Government for oral or written reply. The details shall be regulated by guidelines (Annex 4).

Rule 106 Debate on matters of topical interest and questions put to the Federal Government

(1) Debates on clearly defined topics of general current interest conducted in the form of speeches not exceeding five min-utes (debate on matters of topical interest) shall be gov-erned by the guidelines (Annex 5) unless these Rules of Procedure provide otherwise.

(2) In weeks of sittings the Members of the Bundestag shall have an opportunity to put to the Federal Government questions of topical interest within its competence, primar-ily concerning the preceding cabinet meeting, however. The details shall be regulated by guidelines (Annex 7).

Rule 107 Immunity

(1) Requests concerning matters relating to immunity shall be transmitted direct by the President to the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Proce-dure.

(2) This committee shall lay down principles on the treatment of requests for the immunity of Members of the Bundestag to be waived (Annex 6) and shall use them as the basis for its recommendations to the Bundestag to be drawn up in each individual case.


(3) No time limit shall apply to the deliberations on a recom-mendation. They should begin at the earliest on the third day after distribution of the item (Rule 75, paragraph (1), subparagraph (h)). If the recommendation has not yet been distributed, it shall be read out.

(4) If the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure has not yet constituted itself, the President may submit a recommendation on matters concerning immunity to the Bundestag direct.



IX.Procedure for petitions

86

Rule 108 Competence of the Petitions Committee

(1) The Petitions Committee to be set up by the Bundestag in accordance with Article 45c of the Basic Law shall deal with requests and complaints addressed to it pursuant to Article 17 of the Basic Law. The functions and powers of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces shall remain unaffected.

(2) Unless the Act on the Powers of the Petitions Committee of the German Bundestag provides otherwise, petitions shall be dealt with in accordance with the following provisions.

> Basic Law: Article 45c

Rule 109 Referral of petitions

(1) The President shall refer petitions to the Petitions Commit-tee. The latter shall request the comments of the specialised committees if the petitions relate to a subject under debate in these committees.

(2) Members of the Bundestag who present a petition shall upon their demand be permitted to participate in the com-mittee deliberations without being entitled to vote.

Rule 110 Rights of the Petitions Committee

(1) The Petitions Committee shall draw up principles govern-ing the treatment of requests and complaints and shall use them as the basis for its decision in each case.

(2) Where requests for the submission of files, information, or access to premises are made direct to authorities of the Federation and to federal corporate bodies, institutions and foundations under public law, the relevant member of the Federal Government shall be informed.

(3) The relevant member of the Federal Government shall be informed in good time of any hearing of the petitioner, witness or expert.


Rule 111 Transfer of powers to individual members of the Petitions CommitteeThe Petitions Committee shall decide in individual instanc-es whether to transfer to one or more of its members powers granted to it under the Act Enacted pursuant to Article 45 c of the Basic Law. The decision shall specify the nature and extent of the powers thus transferred.

Rule 112 Recommendation and report of the Petitions Committee

(1) The report on the petitions dealt with by the Petitions Com-mittee shall be submitted to the Bundestag in the form of a list together with a recommendation. The report should be submitted monthly. In addition, the Petitions Committee shall submit to the Bundestag an annual written report on its work.

(2) The reports shall be distributed and placed on the agenda within three weeks of sittings after they have been distributed; the rapporteur may give supplementary oral explanations. A debate shall, however, only be held if a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand.

(3) The petitioners shall be informed of the manner in which their petitions have been dealt with. This communication should state the reasons.


X.The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces

89

Rule 113 Election of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed ForcesThe Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces shall be elected by secret ballot (Rule 49).

> Basic Law: Article 45b

Rule 114 Reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces

(1) The President shall refer the reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces to the Defence Com-mittee unless a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag demand that they be placed on the agenda.

(2) The Defence Committee shall report to the Bundestag.

Rule 115 Debates on reports of the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces

(1) The President shall grant leave to speak to the Parliamenta-ry Commissioner for the Armed Forces in the debate on re-ports submitted by the Commissioner if a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, so demand.

(2) Upon the demand of a parliamentary group or the demand of five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces shall be summoned to attend sittings of the Bundes-tag; paragraph (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis.

X. The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed Forces 90

XI.Recording and implementation of decisions of the Bundestag

91

Rule 116 Minutes of plenary proceedings

(1) A stenographic record (minutes of plenary proceedings) shall be made of each plenary sitting.

(2) The minutes of plenary proceedings shall be distributed to the Members of the Bundestag.

(3) All other records of the proceedings of the Bundestag, for example tape recordings, shall be stored in the parliamenta-ry archives.

Rule 117 Checking of the transcript by the speakerAll speakers shall receive a transcript of their speeches for checking. It shall be returned to the Shorthand Writers’ Ser-vice within two hours. The speeches shall be sent to the printers if the speakers have not returned their copies in time. Transcripts may not be made available to persons oth-er than the President before they have been checked by the speaker, except with the latter’s consent.

Rule 118 Correction of transcripts

(1) Corrections made by the speaker shall not alter the meaning of the speech or any part of it. If doubts arise as to the admissibility of a correction and if no agreement can be reached between the speaker and the head of the Shorthand Writers’ Service, a decision shall be sought from the Presi-dent in the Chair.

(2) The President may have recourse to any evidence available.

Rule 119 Record of interjections

(1) An interjection included in the stenographic record shall form an integral part of the minutes of plenary proceedings unless it is deleted with the consent of the President and those concerned.


(2) An interjection which has escaped the notice of the Presi-dent may still be censured at the next sitting.

Rule 120 Recording of decisionsIn addition to the minutes of plenary proceedings, a record of the decisions taken at every sitting (official record) shall be made, which shall be signed by the President. The offi-cial record shall be distributed to the Members of the Bundestag and shall be deemed to have been approved if no objection to it is raised by the sitting day following distribution.

Rule 121 ObjectionstotheofficialrecordIf an objection is raised to the official record and is not re-solved by the explanation of the Secretaries, the President shall consult the Bundestag. If the objection is considered to be well founded, the new version of the passage objected to shall be annexed to the next official record.

Rule 122 Transmission of adopted bills

(1) The President of the Bundestag shall, without delay, trans-mit an adopted bill to the Bundesrat (Article 77, paragraph (1), second sentence of the Basic Law).

(2) The President shall transmit a copy of the adopted bill to the Federal Chancellor and to the minister responsible, notifying them of the date on which the adopted bill was transmitted to the Bundesrat pursuant to Article 77, para-graph (1), second sentence of the Basic Law.

(3) Where misprints or other obvious errors in the text of the bill as adopted by the Bundestag in the final vote are dis-covered before it is transmitted pursuant to paragraph (1), the President may, in agreement with the lead committee, arrange for a correction to be made. Where the bill has al-ready been transmitted pursuant to paragraph (1), the Presi-


dent shall, after obtaining the consent of the lead commit-tee, draw the attention of the President of the Bundesrat to the misprints or other obvious errors, asking that they be corrected in the course of the subsequent legislative pro-cess. The Federal Chancellor and the minister responsible shall be notified of this request.


Rule 122 a Electronic documents

(1) Insofar as the written form is required for the tabling of items, this requirement may be met by the recording of items as electronic documents, providing such documents are able to be modified.

(2) Such documents must contain electronic signatures pursu-ant to the Act on Digital Signature. Details shall be regulat-ed by implementing provisions to be issued by the Council of Elders.

Rule 123 Calculation of time limits

(1) In calculating time limits, the day on which a printed paper is distributed shall not be taken into account; a printed paper shall be deemed to have been distributed when it has been made accessible to the Members of the Bundestag by electronic means or has been placed in their pigeonholes.

(2) Time limits shall also be deemed to have been observed where, owing to technical difficulties or by accident, it is only subsequent to its general distribution that a printed paper is accessible to some individual Members by elec-tronic means, or has been placed in their pigeonholes.

Rule 124 Compliance with time limitsIn calculating a time limit within which a statement is to be made vis-à-vis the Bundestag or a measure is to be carried out, the day on which the statement is made or the measure


carried out shall not be taken into account. Where, in accordance with the time limit, a statement is to be made or a measure carried out on a Saturday or Sunday or on a day recognised at the seat of the Bundestag to be a statutory holiday, the time limit shall be extended to the next working day. The statement shall be made or the measure carried out during normal office hours, at the latest, however, by 18.00 hours.

Rule 125 UnfinishedbusinessAt the end of the electoral term of the Bundestag all items of business submitted to it shall be deemed to have been disposed of. This shall not apply to petitions and items of business which do not require a decision.


XII.Departures from and interpretation of the Rules of Procedure

96

Rule 126 Departures from the Rules of ProcedureDepartures from the provisions of the Rules of Procedure may be decided upon in individual instances by a two-thirds majority of the Members of the Bundestag present, unless this is incompatible with the provisions of the Basic Law.

Rule 126 a Special application of minority rights during the 18th electoral term

(1) The following provisions shall apply for the duration of the 18th electoral term: 1. Upon the motion of 120 of its Members, the Bundes tag

shall set up a committee of inquiry pursuant to Article 44 of the Basic Law. The number of members of the committee of inquiry shall be calculated on the basis of the formula for distribution adopted by the Bundestag (Bundestag Printed paper 18/212) in such a way as to ensure that one quarter of the Committee’s members come from the opposition parliamentary groups.

2. The Defence Committee shall ensure, upon the motion of all members of the committee from the opposition parliamentary groups, that a specific defence matter is made the subject of an inquiry pursuant to Article 45 a, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law, and that the rights en-joyed by one quarter of its members under the Act Gov-erning the Legal Framework for Committees of Inquiry can be exercised by these members.

3. Upon the motion of 120 Members of the Bundestag, the President shall convene a sitting.

4. Upon the motion of 120 of its Members, the Bundestag shall bring an action before the Court of Justice of the European Union to challenge a legislative act of the Eu-ropean Union for infringing the principle of subsidiarity pursuant to Article 23, paragraph (1a) of the Basic Law.



5. Upon the motion of 120 of its Members who do not sup-port the bringing of an action before the Court of Justice of the European Union to challenge a legislative act of the European Union for infringing the principle of sub-sidiarity, the Bundestag shall make clear the opinion of these Members in the application initiating proceedings pursuant to Section 12, paragraph (1) of the Responsi-bility for Integration Act in conjunction with Rule 93 d.

6. The Bundestag shall endorse a demand pursuant to Sec-tion 8, paragraph (5) of the Act on Cooperation between the Federal Government and the German Bundestag in Matters concerning the European Union for the Federal Government to state the reasons why not all of the inter-ests expressed in an opinion of the Bundestag have been taken into account where this demand is submitted by 120 of its Members.

7. The Budget Committee shall endorse a demand for the Governor and alternate Governor appointed by Ger-many pursuant to Article 5, paragraph (1) of the Treaty Establishing the European Stability Mechanism to pro-vide information to the Budget Committee pursuant to Section 5, paragraph (4) of the ESM Financing Act where this demand is supported by all the members of the Committee from the opposition parliamentary groups.

8. In the case of motions or items of the Federal Govern-ment under Section 5, paragraph (6) of the ESM Financ-ing Act or Section 4, paragraph (5) of the Act on the As-sumption of Guarantees in Connection with a European Stabilisation Mechanism, the Budget Committee shall hold a public hearing in line with Rule 70 (1), second sentence if all the members of the committee from the opposition parliamentary groups so demand.

9. Where an item of business has been referred to it, the lead committee shall hold a public hearing in line with Rule 70, paragraph (1), second sentence, if all the mem-bers of the committee from the opposition parliamenta-ry groups so demand.


10. A plenary sitting shall take place instead of extended public committee deliberations (Rule 69a, paragraph (5)), if all the members of the committee from the opposition parliamentary groups so demand.

11. Upon the motion of 120 of its Members, the Bundestag shall set up a study commission in line with Rule 56, paragraph (1).

(2) Rule 126 shall not apply to the provisions set out in paragraph (1).

Rule 127 Interpretation of the Rules of Procedure

(1) If doubts arise during a sitting of the Bundestag as to the in-terpretation of the Rules of Procedure, the President shall take a decision on the case in question. Otherwise responsi-bility for the interpretation of the Rules of Procedure shall lie with the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immu-nity and the Rules of Procedure; the President, a commit-tee, a parliamentary group, one quarter of the members of the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag may demand that the interpretation of the rule or rules in question be submitted to the Bundestag for a decision.

(2) If no such demand is made pursuant to paragraph (1), sec-ond sentence, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall decide on the manner in which its interpretation is to be made public.

Rule 128 Rights of the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of ProcedureThe Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure may discuss matters within its terms of reference and submit recommendations to the Bundestag (Rule 75, paragraph (1), subparagraph (h)).

Annexes

Annex 1 101

Annex 1 Code of Conduct for Members of the German Bundestag

Rule 1 Obligation to provide information

(1) A Member of the Bundestag shall be obliged, in respect of the period prior to his or her membership of the Bundestag, to inform the President in writing of

1. the occupation he or she last practised; 2. activities as member of a board of management, super-

visory board, administrative board, advisory board or other body of a company or of an enterprise operated in another legal form;

3. activities as member of a board of management, supervi-sory board, administrative board, advisory board or oth-er body of a corporation or institution under public law.

(2) Moreover, a Member of the Bundestag shall be obliged to inform the President in writing of the following activities engaged in or taken up, or contracts binding on him or her, during membership of the Bundestag:

1. remunerated activities engaged in alongside the exer-cise of his or her office, either by virtue of being self-employed or by virtue of being a salaried employee. These include, for example, continuing an occupation engaged in prior to membership of the Bundestag, as well as consultancy, representation, the provision of expert opinions, or writing or lecturing activities. There shall be no obligation to inform the President of the provision of expert opinions or of writing or lecturing activities where the income agreed upon does not exceed the sum of €1000 per month or €10,000 per year. The same exemption shall apply to activity as a member of the Federal Government, as a Parliamentary State Secretary and as a Minister of State;

2. activities as member of a board of management, super-visory board, administrative board, advisory board or other body of a company or of an enterprise operated in another legal form;

3. activities as member of a board of management, supervi-sory board, administrative board, advisory board or oth-er body of a corporation or institution under public law;

4. activities as member of a board of management or other managerial or advisory body of a club, association or similar organisation, or of a foundation of not exclu-sively local importance;

5. the existence or making of agreements whereby the Member of the Bundestag is to be assigned certain activities or receive pecuniary benefits during or after membership of the Bundestag;

6. interests held in a private corporation (Kapitalgesell-schaft) or a partnership (Personengesellschaft), if this results in considerable economic influence on the com-pany. The limits of the obligation to declare interests shall be laid down by the President in the implementing provisions to be issued pursuant to paragraph (4).

(3) In respect of activities or contracts for which an obligation to provide information pursuant to paragraph (2), numbers 1 to 5 exists, the amount of income derived therefrom shall also be declared if it exceeds the amount of € 1000 within one month or the amount of € 10,000 within one year. Cal-culations to determine whether the ceilings are exceeded shall be based on the gross amounts due for an activity, including expenses, compensation and benefits in kind.

(4) The President shall, after providing the Presidium and the chairpersons of the parliamentary groups with the opportu-nity to comment, issue implementing provisions on the content and scope of the obligation to provide information.

(5) The obligation to provide information shall not include the notification of facts concerning third parties in respect of whom the Member can invoke a statutory right to refuse to give evidence or a duty not to disclose CONFIDENTIAL

Annex 1 102

Annex 1 103

information. In such cases, the President may stipulate in the implementing provisions that the obligation to provide information must be fulfilled such that the rights set out in the first sentence are not infringed. To this end, the Presi-dent may, in particular, include provisions requiring the naming of the economic sector concerned, rather than details of the client concerned.

(6) Declarations of interest pursuant to the Code of Conduct must be submitted to the President within three months of becoming a Member of the German Bundestag, or when changes or additions occur during the electoral term.

Rule 2 Lawyers

(1) Members of the Bundestag who, for a fee, represent the Federal Republic of Germany in court or out of court shall inform the President of this representation if the fee ex-ceeds a minimum amount specified by the President.

(2) Members of the Bundestag who, for a fee, represent a third party in court or out of court against the Federal Republic of Germany shall inform the President of this representation if the fee exceeds a minimum amount specified by the President.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis in respect of the representation of a party in court or out of court, particularly for or against federal corporate bodies, institutions or foundations under public law.

Rule 3 PublicationThe information furnished pursuant to Rule 1, paragraph (1), number 1, and paragraph (2), numbers 1 to 6, shall be published in the Official Handbook and on the website of the German Bundestag. For information furnished pursuant to Rule 1, paragraph (3), on income, each published case shall be placed in one of ten categories. Category 1 applies to one-off or regular monthly income between € 1000 and € 3500, category 2 to income up to a ceiling of € 7000,

Annex 1 104

category 3 to income up to € 15,000, category 4 to income up to € 30,000, category 5 to income up to € 50,000, category 6 to income up to €75,000, category 7 to income up to € 100,000, category 8 to income up to € 150,000, category 9 to income up to € 250,000 and category 10 to income over € 250,000. Regular monthly income is labelled as such. Where irregular income from an activity is declared during a calendar year, the annual sum shall be calculated and the category of income shall be published for the year concerned.

Rule 4 Donations

(1) A Member of the Bundestag shall keep separate account of donations of money and all kinds of gifts of pecuniary value (donations) made available to him or her for his or her political activities.

(2) A donation the value of which exceeds €5000 in one calen-dar year shall be notified to the President, with the name and address of the donor and the total amount donated being stated.

(3) Donations the value of which individually or, in the case of several donations from the same donor, taken together, exceeds €10,000 in one calendar year shall be published by the President in the Official Handbook and on the website of the German Bundestag together with an indication of the amount and origin.

(4) In respect of donations to a Member of the Bundestag, Section 25, paragraphs (2) and (4), of the Law on Political Parties shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(5) Gifts of pecuniary value received 1. in connection with interparliamentary or international

activities, or 2. in connection with participation in events for the pur-

pose of imparting political information, presenting the positions of the German Bundestag or of its parliamenta-ry groups or representing the German Bundestag shall not be deemed to be donations within the meaning of

Annex 1 105

this provision; however, they shall be declared pursuant to paragraph (2) and published pursuant to paragraph (3) and published pursuant to paragraph (2).

(6) Gifts of pecuniary value which a Member of the Bundestag receives as a guest or host in connection with his or her mandate shall be notified and handed to the President; the Member may apply to keep the gift if he or she pays the Federal Cash Office a sum equivalent to its value. Notifica-tion is not required if the material value of the gift does not exceed a sum laid down in the implementing provisions issued by the President (Rule 1, paragraph (4)).

(7) The President shall, in consultation with the Presidium, take a decision on the use of declared gifts which Members have received as guests as well as of donations unlawfully accepted.

Rule 5 Reference to membershipIn occupational or business matters no reference shall be made to membership of the Bundestag.

Rule 6 Disclosure of interests as a committee memberEvery Member of the Bundestag in receipt of remuneration for his or her activities in connection with a subject to be debated in a committee of the Bundestag shall, prior to the deliberations, disclose as a member of that committee any link between these interests and the subject to be debated where this is not evident from the information published pursuant to Rule 3.

Rule 7 Request for further informationIn cases of doubt the Member of the Bundestag shall be obliged to ascertain, by requesting further information from the President, what his or her duties resulting from this Code of Conduct are.

Annex 1 106

Rule 8 Procedure

(1) If there are indications that a Member of the Bundestag has failed to meet his or her obligations pursuant to the Code of Conduct, the President shall in the first instance gain a statement from the Member concerned and then set in mo-tion a factual and legal investigation. The President may demand further information from the Member concerned to explain and clarify the situation and may ask the chairper-son of the parliamentary group to which the Member con-cerned belongs to state his or her position.

(2) If, having examined the facts, the President believes that the case in question constitutes a less serious case, or a case of minor negligence (e.g. failure to declare information before the relevant deadline), the Member concerned shall receive an admonishment. Where this is not the case, the President shall inform the Presidium and the chairpersons of the par-liamentary groups of the result of the investigation. Having heard the Member concerned, the Presidium shall then state whether a failure to comply with the Code of Conduct has taken place. A statement by the Presidium that a Member of the Bundestag has failed to meet his or her obligations pursuant to the Code of Conduct shall, notwithstanding further sanctions pursuant to Section 44a of the Members of the Bundestag Act, be published as a printed paper. A state-ment that no such offence has been committed shall be pub-lished at the request of the Member of the Bundestag.

(3) If there are indications that a member of the Presidium or the chairperson of a parliamentary group has failed to meet his or her obligations, the Member of the Bundestag con-cerned shall not attend meetings in the framework of these proceedings. In place of the chairperson of the parliamenta-ry group concerned, his or her deputy shall be heard pursu-ant to paragraph (1) and informed pursuant to paragraph (2). If there are indications that the President has failed to meet his or her obligations, his or her deputy shall proceed in accordance with the provisions of paragraphs (1) and (2).

(4) After hearing once again the Member who has failed to meet his or her reporting obligations, the Presidium may decide to impose a coercive fine. The level of the fine shall depend on the gravity of the case in question and the degree of fault. The fine may not exceed fifty per cent of the annual remuneration for Members. The President shall implement the decision of the Presidium. At the request of the Member in question, he or she shall be allowed to pay the fine in instalments. Section 31, third and fourth sentences of the Members of the Bundestag Act shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(5) In cases covered by Section 44a paragraph (3) of the Mem-bers of the Bundestag Act, the President shall, after hearing the Member concerned, set in motion a factual and legal investigation. The examination of whether an appropriate service has been rendered in return within the meaning of Section 44a paragraph (2), third sentence of the Members of the Bundestag Act shall be based on the levels of remunera-tion which could typically be expected; an examination of whether the benefits received and the service provided are obviously out of proportion shall assist in this. Measures pursuant to this paragraph can only be taken within three years of receipt of the gift or pecuniary benefits. The Presi-dent may ask the Member to provide additional informa-tion to explain and clarify the facts of the case and ask the chairperson of the parliamentary group to which the Mem-ber belongs for a statement. If the President believes that an impermissible remuneration as defined by Section 44a par-agraph (2) of the Members of the Bundestag Act has been paid, he or she shall inform the Presidium and the chair-persons of the parliamentary groups of the result of the in-vestigation. After hearing the Member concerned, the Pre-sidium shall ascertain whether an infringement of Section 44a paragraph (2) of the Members of the Bundestag Act has taken place. The President shall assert this entitlement by means of an administrative act, in line with Section 44a paragraph (3) of the Members of the Bundestag Act.

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Notwithstanding further sanctions pursuant to Section 44a of the Members of the Bundestag Act, the statement indicat-ing that a Member of the Bundestag has infringed his or her duties under the Members of the Bundestag Act shall be published as a printed paper. The statement that an infringement has not taken place may be published at the request of the Member of the Bundestag. Paragraph (3) applies mutatis mutandis.

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Provisions Implementing the Code of Conduct for Members of the German Bundestag as promulgated on 18 June 2013 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1645)

1. Form and time limits for declarations

(1) Declarations under the Code of Conduct shall be submitted to the President within a period of three months following the acquisition of membership of the German Bundestag (Rule 1(6) of the Code of Conduct). The appropriate printed forms shall be used for that purpose.

(2) All changes and additions in the course of the electoral term shall be declared in writing within three months from the date on which the notifiable situation began (Rule 1(6) of the Code of Conduct).

(3) For the declaration of notifiable income, this period shall begin no later than the date of receipt of the income.

2.Activities predating membership of the Bundestag

(1) Activities within the meaning of Rule 1(1) of the Code of Conduct which have not been engaged in for at least the past two years at the time when membership of the German Bundestag is acquired shall be disregarded in the context of the declaration requirement.

(2) In the declaration of occupational activities predating mem-bership made under Rule 1(1)(1) of the Code of Conduct, notifications of gainful employment other than self-employ-ment must contain details of the employer (name and reg-istered office) and of the type of activity; in the case of self-employment as a trader, the type of business activity and the registered office of the company must be indicated; where a liberal profession or other independent occupation is practised, the precise description of the occupation and the location or registered office at which it is practised must be declared.

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3.Notifiabledetailsofclients,enterprises,organisations and event organisers

(1) The declaration of occupational activities predating mem-bership made under Rule 1(1) (2) and (1) (3) of the Code of Conduct and the declaration of occupational activities concurrent with membership made under Rule 1(2) (1) to (2) (4) of the Code must indicate the type of activity and the name and registered office of the client, enterprise or organisation. In the case of lecturing activity within the meaning of Rule 1(2)(1) of the Code of Conduct, the event at which the lecture was delivered must also be indicated, as must the name and registered office of the event organiser, unless the organiser and the client are one and the same.

(2) Clients of freelance professionals and self-employed per-sons are to be declared only if the gross income from one or more contracts with the client in question exceeds the amounts referred to in the first sentence of Rule 1(3) of the Code of Conduct.

(3) Gross income within the meaning of the second sentence of Rule 1(3) of the Code of Conduct comprises monetary earnings plus the value of benefits in kind.

4.Activity as a partner in a business; administration of Member’s own property

(1) Where a Member of the Bundestag engages, as a partner in a business, in a remunerated activity within the meaning of Rule 1(2)(1) of the Code of Conduct on the basis of a contract concluded by the business with a third party, the type of activity, the name and registered office of the busi-ness and the name and registered office of the client shall be declared if, in the particular instance, the Member of the Bundestag is cooperating personally in the performance of the contract. Dividends paid out by the business are notifiable income within the meaning of section 1(3) of

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the Code of Conduct. Paragraph 3(2) of these Implementing Provisions shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(2) Administration of the Member’s own property is not an occupation or remunerated activity within the meaning of the Code of Conduct.

5.Parliamentary and party functions

(1) Parliamentary functions need not be declared. (2) Functions in political parties are to be declared only if they

are performed for remuneration.

6.AgreementsonfutureactivitiesandpecuniarybenefitsIn declarations pertaining to agreements whereby the Mem-ber of the Bundestag is to be entrusted with a particular activity or receive pecuniary benefits in the circumstances described in Rule 1(2)(5) of the Code of Conduct, the main features of the agreements must be communicated.

7.Shareholdings in enterprises

(1) The reporting obligation under Rule 1(2)(6) of the Code of Conduct relates only to a shareholding in a company whose purpose is to operate an enterprise. An enterprise within the meaning of the said provision is a permanent organisa-tional entity in which goods are produced or services pro-vided with the intention of making a profit.

(2) A shareholding in such a private corporation (Kapitalge-sellschaft) or partnership (Personengesellschaft) must be declared if the Member of the Bundestag possesses more than 25% of the voting rights.

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8.Right to refuse to give evidence or duty not to disclose confidentialinformationThe declaration by a Member of the Bundestag who can cite a statutory right to refuse to give evidence or a statutory or contractual duty not to disclose confidential information need not contain the information on the client required by paragraph 3 and the first sentence of paragraph 4(1) of these Implementing Provisions. In these circumstances, it is sufficient to indicate the type of activity involved in the fulfilment of the individual contract or brief.

9.Reporting obligation for lawyers under Rule 2 of the Code of ConductThe reporting obligation for lawyers under Rule 2 of the Code of Conduct does not apply if the Member does not represent the client personally or the fee does not exceed €1,000.

10.Donations

(1) Two or more donations from the same donor must be declared if they exceed a total annual amount of €5,000.

(2) A donation that a Member of the Bundestag accepts as a party donation and forwards to his or her political party, obtaining a receipt for the forwarded amount, need not be declared. These circumstances are without prejudice to the accountability of the political party.

11.Gifts

(1) Gifts received by a Member as a guest or host need not be reported if the material value of the gift does not exceed €200.

(2) If a request has been received from a Member of the Bundes-tag to retain a surrendered gift in exchange for an equiva-

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lent payment, the President establishes the value of the gift, generally on the basis of market value. The amount to be paid to the Federal Cash Office is this established value less the amount of € 200.

12.Destruction of submitted documentationDocuments relating to declarations under the Code of Con-duct which a Member of the Bundestag has submitted are destroyed at the end of a period of five years following the end of his or her membership of the Bundestag, unless the former Member has asked for the documents to be made over to him or her.

13.Entry into force; terminationThese Implementing Provisions shall enter into force on the date of the first sitting of the 18th electoral term of the German Bundestag. At the same time, the Implementing Provisions as promulgated on 30 December 2005 (Federal Law Gazette (2006) I, p. 10) and amended by the promulga-tion of 12 November 2010 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 1614) shall cease to apply.

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Annex 2 Registration of associations and their representatives

(1) The President of the Bundestag shall keep a public list in which all associations of trade and industry representing interests vis-à-vis the Bundestag or the Federal Government shall be entered.

(2) Their representatives shall be heard only if they have entered themselves in this list, furnishing the following information:name and seat of the association; composition of the board of management and the board of directors; sphere of interest of the association; number of members;names of the association’s representatives; and address of its office at the seat of the Bundestag and of the Federal Government.

(3) Passes admitting representatives of such associations to the Bundestag buildings shall be issued only if the information to be furnished under paragraph (2) above has been provid-ed.

(4) Entry in the list shall not entitle an association to obtain a hearing or a pass.

(5) The President shall arrange for the list to be published each year in the Federal Gazette (Bundesanzeiger).

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Annex 3 Bundestag Rules on Document Security

Rule 1 Scope

(1) These Rules on Document Security shall apply to classified material originating in the Bundestag or transmitted to the Bundestag, its committees or Members of the Bundestag. The provisions applicable to the committees shall apply to other bodies set up by the Bundestag or its committees or established by virtue of a law.

(2) Classified material shall be matters of any kind that must be prevented by means of special security measures from com-ing to the knowledge of unauthorised persons.

(3) Classified material may cover knowledge and information in whatever form it may be presented. Intermediate materi-al (such as preliminary drafts, audio recordings, shorthand notes, carbon paper, stencils, spoilage and, in certain cir-cumstances, even blotting paper) shall be treated as classi-fied material.

Rule 2 Securityclassifications

(1) Depending on the degree of protection required, classified material shall be given one of the following security classifications:

German designationTOP SECRET streng geheim (str. geh.)SECRET geheim (geh.)CONFIDENTIAL VS-vertraulich (VS-Vertr.)RESTRICTED VS-Nur für den Dienstgebrauch (VS-NfD.)

(2) Classified material knowledge of which by unauthorised persons would endanger the existence of the Federal Re-public of Germany or one of its Länder shall be labelled TOP SECRET.

(3) Classified material knowledge of which by unauthorised persons would endanger the security of the Federal

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Republic of Germany or one of its Länder, seriously harm their interests or their reputation or be of great advantage to a foreign state shall be labelled SECRET.

(4) Classified material knowledge of which by unauthorised persons could be prejudicial to the interests or the reputa-tion of the Federal Republic of Germany or of one of its Länder or be of advantage to a foreign state shall be labelled CONFIDENTIAL.

(5) Classified material that does not fall within one of the security classifications TOP SECRET, SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL but is not intended for the public shall be given the security classification RESTRICRED. Minutes of committee meetings that are not open to the public (Rule 69, paragraph (1), first sentence of the Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag) shall not in principle constitute classified material within the meaning of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security (Rule 73 of the Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag).

(6) The labelling of classified material shall be carried out in line with the instructions to the federal authorities on the treatment of classified material.

Rule 2a Private secrets

(1) Important business or trade secrets, secrets relating to an invention, tax or other private secrets or details belonging to the realm of personal privacy, knowledge of which by unauthorised persons could seriously harm the person concerned, can also be classified as SECRET.

(2) The secrets or details described in paragraph (1), knowledge of which by unauthorised persons could be prejudicial to the interests of the person concerned, can be classified as CONFIDENTIAL.

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Rule 3 Choiceofandchangeinsecurityclassifications

(1) Security classifications shall be used only to the extent that they are strictly necessary. Classified material shall not be given a security classification higher than its content warrants.

(2) The security classification of such material shall be deter-mined by the issuing agency. The issuing agency shall noti-fy the recipient in writing of any changes in or the cancella-tion of the security classification.

(3) For classified material originating in the Bundestag the issuing agency within the meaning of paragraph (2) shall be a) the President; b) the committee chairpersons; c) other agencies authorised by the President.

Rule 3 a InspectionofclassifiedmaterialClassified material labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET may only be inspected in the rooms attached to the Secret Records Office. In derogation of this, classified material may be provided for inspection in their own offices to members of committees of inquiry, or of bodies whose meetings are generally classified as SECRET pursuant to legal provisions, provided these offices are equipped with classified-material containers and the classified material has been forwarded to the Bundestag to allow the body in question to carry out its duties. Sentence 2 shall apply mutatis mutandis to persons endowed with the necessary authorisation by the President.

Rule 4 Accesstoandtransmissionofclassifiedmaterial

(1) The content of classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall not be communicated more fully or sooner than is strictly necessary for the conduct of parliamentary business.

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(2) Within the limits of paragraph (1), a Member of the Bundes-tag who has been given access to classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher may inform other Members of the Bundestag thereof.

(3) Staff members of the parliamentary groups and the personal staff of Members of the Bundestag may be given access to classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher within this context only if the President has authorised them to handle classified material and has formally placed them under an obligation to observe secrecy. The first sen-tence shall apply mutatis mutandis to persons charged with carrying out investigations and their assistants pursuant to Section 10 of the Act Governing the Legal Framework for Committees of Inquiry.

(4) Other persons may be given access to classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher only with the consent of the issuing agency and provided that they have been authorised to handle classified material and have been formally placed under an obligation to observe secrecy.

Rule 5 TelephoneconversationsconcerningclassifiedmaterialTelephone conversations on matters labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher may be conducted only in exceptional and urgent cases. In such cases conversa-tions shall be conducted with such caution that the facts of the situation are unintelligible to third parties. If there is any uncertainty as to the identity of the other party, a special telephone call shall be made as a check.

Rule 6 Production of copiesThe recipient of classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher may have further copies (transcripts, prints, photocopies, etc.) as well as excerpts produced only by the Secret Records Office; for classified material labelled TOP SECRET the consent of the issuing

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agency shall also be required. Such copies shall be treated in the same way as the original classified material.

Rule 7 Treatmentofclassifiedmaterialincommittee

(1) The committees may decide to give a security classification to an item of business or parts thereof (Rule 69, paragraph (7) of the Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag). Where clas-sified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher is under discussion, the chairperson shall ensure that the related decision is, without delay, taken at the same meeting and shall ascertain before the deliberations begin that no unau-thorised person is present in the meeting room.

(2) In the case of deliberations on matters labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET, only the decisions may be recorded. The committee may decide to record the content of the deliberations; in that case it shall decide how many copies of the minutes are to be produced and to whom they are to be distributed.

(3) In the case of deliberations on matters labelled CONFIDENTIAL, minutes may be drawn up; the second half of the second sentence of paragraph (2) shall apply mutatis mutandis. However, the committee may decide that only decisions be recorded.

(4) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher which has been transmitted to a committee may be handed out only at the meeting and for not longer than its duration. If the meeting is suspended, such material need not be re-turned, provided that the meeting room is kept under sur-veillance by the internal security service. The committee chairperson may decide that classified material labelled SECRET or CONFIDENTIAL be made available to the com-mittee rapporteurs and in special cases to other committee members until the committee has concluded its delibera-tions on the item of business to which the classified materi-al relates, and that it be stored in the classified-material containers permitted for that purpose.

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(5) As regards classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL, the committee may decide otherwise in cases covered by paragraph (4).

(6) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or SECRET may, insofar as it originates in the committee, be kept tempo-rarily, with the permission of the committee chairperson and after registration in the Secret Records Office, in the commit-tee‘s classified-material containers provided for the purpose. The material shall be returned to the Secret Records Office as soon as it is no longer needed in the committee.

(7) If it becomes apparent only in the course or at the end of the deliberations that they ought to be treated as CONFIDENTIAL or given a higher security classification, the committee may subsequently decide on the necessary security measures.

Rule 8 Registrationandmanagementofclassifiedmaterial

(1) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher that is transmitted to the Bundestag, its committees or Members of the Bundestag shall, where it has not been channelled through the Secret Records Office, in principle be transmit-ted to the latter for registration and management.

(2) Classified material originating in the Bundestag that is labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall in principle also be transmitted to the Secret Records Office for registration and management.

(3) Receipt of classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall be acknowledged in writing.

(4) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall be stored in the Secret Records Office or in the rooms designated for the purpose by the President.

(5) Classified material labelled RESTRICRED shall be kept under lock and key; this shall not be necessary if it is stored in rooms to which outsiders have no access.

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Rule 9 DestructionofclassifiedmaterialClassified material and any intermediate material that origi-nates in the Bundestag shall, when it is no longer needed, be transmitted to the Secret Records Office. To the extent that classified material need not be preserved, it shall be destroyed by the Secret Records Office.

Rule 10 Passingonofclassifiedmaterial

(1) Classified material labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET shall in principle be transmitted within the Bundestag buildings through the Secret Records Office. It shall be passed on only by persons specifically authorised to do so. Where, for reasons of urgency, such material has been passed from hand to hand, the Secret Records Office shall subsequently be notified of the fact.

(2) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL may, subject to notification of the Secret Records Office, be passed on by hand to authorised recipients.

(3) The dispatch of classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall be carried out by the Secret Records Office in accordance with the instructions to the federal authori-ties on the treatment of classified material.

Rule 11 Removalofclassifiedmaterial

(1) Classified material labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET shall not be removed from the rooms under the administration of the Bundestag. The President may authorise removal where compelling reasons make this necessary. At the same time, the President shall specify how the classified material is to be transported.

(2) Where classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher is removed, measures shall be taken to ensure its continuous safekeeping. Where a steel cabinet fitted with a combination and safety lock is not available for classified

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material labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET, the person who has such material in his or her possession shall keep it con-stantly with him or her. Such classified material shall not be left in motor vehicles, stored in hotel safes or at railway stations, etc. During visits abroad, classified material shall, where possible, be deposited for safekeeping with the mis-sions of the Federal Republic of Germany.

(3) Classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher shall not be read or discussed in public.

Rule 12 Obligation to report irregularities or lossesAny suspicion, observation or incident from which it may be concluded that tentative approaches are being made by foreign intelligence services or that unauthorised persons have acquired knowledge of the content of classified material, as well as any loss of classified material labelled CONFIDENTIAL or higher, or of security codes, shall be reported without delay to the President or the Document Security Officer of the Bundestag Administration.

Rule 13 Implementing provisionsThe President shall be empowered to issue implementing provisions.

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Implementing provisionsin respect of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security of 19 September 1975Pursuant to Rule 13 of the Bundestag Rules on Document Security I issue implementing provisions.

Rule 1Where exclusively the area of the Bundestag Administra-tion is affected, the provisions of the Safeguarding of Clas-sified Information Regulations for the Federal Authorities shall apply.

Rule 2 (1) Anyone who has been given access to classified material or

informed of it shall bear personal responsibility for observ-ing secrecy and for proper treatment and storage in line with the provisions of the Rules on Document Security and the supplementary provisions of the Safeguarding of Classi-fied Information Regulations.

(2) The obligation to observe secrecy shall also apply after the person concerned has left the Bundestag.

(3) In the presence of unauthorised persons the content of classified material shall not be discussed.

(4) Where private individuals must be given access to or in-formed of sensitive matters, they shall be screened in an appropriate manner beforehand.

(5) Before being handed sensitive matters or when attending meetings or discussions about such matters, the recipient or participant shall be informed how to treat classified materi-al and that a violation of secrecy constitutes a punishable offence, and formally placed under an obligation to observe secrecy and not to disclose any information.

Rule 3 (1) With due regard to the principle laid down in Section 3,

paragraph (1) of the Rules on Document Security, the secu-rity classification of classified material shall be determined

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by the content of the part requiring the highest security classification; annexes may be given a lower classification.

(2) Documents which refer to classified material but the con-tent of which is not sensitive to the same degree, such as written reminders, etc., shall be classified according to their content, not according to the classified material referred to.

(3) The issuing agency (Rule 3, paragraph (3) of the Rules on Document Security) may determine that classified material shall be given a lower classification or shall no longer be classified at all from a certain point in time onwards or once a specific event has occurred.

Rule 4 (1) The President shall confer on the Document Security Offic-

er the power to authorise parliamentary group staff and Members‘ staff as well as other persons to handle classified material and place them under an obligation to observe secrecy. As regards the conditions for authorisation, the regulations applicable to the authorisation of a member of the public service (e.g. screening) shall apply mutatis mutandis; the same shall also apply to the consequences of authorisation (such as travelling restrictions).

(2) The obligation not to disclose any information gained from classified material shall also apply after employment has ended; in this respect the regulations for members of the public service shall apply mutatis mutandis.

(3) In connection with authorisation, the duties laid down in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be expressly pointed out.

(4) In matters concerning the authorisation, etc., of parliamen-tary group staff the Document Security Officer shall cooper-ate with the Parliamentary Secretary responsible for securi-ty matters in the parliamentary group and, in the case of Members‘ staff, with the Member concerned.

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Rule 5 (1) The obligations with respect to long-distance telephone

conversations concerning classified material shall apply in particular where long-distance telephone conversations are conducted by radio (e.g. car telephone). The same shall ap-ply in the case of long-distance telephone calls with per-sons outside the Federal Republic of Germany or in (West) Berlin. The possibility of using speech encoders shall be pointed out.

(2) Telephone conversations shall be exceptional and urgent within the meaning of Rule 5 of the Rules on Document Se-curity only if transmission in writing or in any other secure way would cause an unacceptable delay.

Rule 6 (1) The committees may decide that the hearing of witnesses

and experts will be recorded in the minutes also in matters with the security classification TOP SECRET and SECRET (e.g. in the case of committees of inquiry). They must de-cide how many copies of the minutes are to be produced and to whom they are to be distributed.

(2) If, during a meeting at which classified material labelled TOP SECRET or SECRET is being dealt with, the commit-tee chairperson allows notes to be taken, they shall be handed in to the Secret Records Office at the end of the meeting for safekeeping or destruction.

(3) Classified material labelled TOP SECRET may only be in-spected or worked on in the Secret Records Office with the permission of the President or the committee chairperson. Notes may be made only with the consent of the person granting permission pursuant to the first sentence; they shall remain in the Secret Records Office until the commit-tees deal with the relevant topic. They shall be destroyed by the Secret Records Office once the deliberations have been concluded.

(4) The inspection of all classified material in the Secret Records Office shall be confirmed in writing.

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Rule 7 (1) Audio recordings shall be erased immediately after the

minutes have been drawn up. (2) Where such audio recordings and other intermediate mate-

rial supplementing the minutes have been transmitted to the Secret Records Office, they shall be erased or destroyed at the end of the following electoral term at the latest, unless the committees decide otherwise.

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Annex 4Guidelines for Question Time and for written questions

I.Right to put questions

1. In each week of sittings Question Times not exceeding 180 minutes in total shall be conducted.

Any Member of the Bundestag shall be entitled to address to the Federal Government up to two questions for oral reply during the Question Times of one week of sittings.

Questions shall be concise and make possible a brief an-swer. They shall not contain subjective statements or evalu-ations. Every question may be subdivided into two ques-tions.

The questions shall be grouped in a printed paper accord-ing to the departmental responsibilities of the Federal Government.

The President shall determine the order in which these departments are called.

2. The questions shall relate to matters for which the Federal Government has direct or indirect responsibility.

Questions which relate to an item on the agenda of the current week of sittings shall be answered in writing. This shall not apply where an explanatory statement and debate on that item are dispensed with.

Questions of obviously local significance shall be transmit-ted by the President to the Federal Government for a writ-ten reply. Numbers 15 and 16 shall apply.

3. The questioner shall be entitled to put up to two supple-mentary questions if the question is answered orally. Num-ber 1, paragraph 3 shall apply mutatis mutandis to such supplementary questions.

4. The President shall permit other Members of the Bundestag to put further supplementary questions, insofar as this does not threaten to upset the proper conduct of Question Time.

5. The President shall reject any supplementary questions not directly connected with the main question.

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II.Tabling of questions

6. Questions shall be submitted in quadruplicate to the Presi-dent (Parliamentary Secretariat).

7. Questions shall only be included in the printed paper for Question Time if they comply with the provisions of num-ber 1, paragraph 3 and number 2, paragraph 1.

8. Oral questions shall be submitted, on the Friday preceding the week of sittings, to the President not later than 10.00 hours and to the Federal Government not later than 12.00 hours.

9. The President should permit questions of obviously urgent public interest (urgent questions) to be put during Question Time if they were submitted not later than 12.00 hours on the previous day. Number 1, paragraphs 2 and 3 shall apply.

III.Conduct of Question Time

10. The President shall call the number of the question and the name of the questioner.

Urgent questions shall be called at the beginning of Ques-tion Time. If questions have already been submitted on the same subject, they too shall be brought forward.

Questions may be answered only if the questioner is pre-sent. If the questioner is absent, his or her question will only be answered in writing if he or she asked the President for a written reply before the beginning of Question Time.

11. If the federal minister responsible or his or her representa-tive is not present, the questioner may demand that his or her questions be called at the beginning of the Question Time at which the federal minister or representative is present; the questioner’s right to put questions may not be RESTRICRED thereby.

12. Questions that are not answered in the Question Times of one week for lack of time shall be answered by the Federal Government in writing, unless the questioner informs the Chair before the end of the last Question Time of a week of

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sittings that he or she wishes to withdraw the questions. The written answers shall be included in the annex to the minutes of plenary proceedings.

IV.Written questions

13. Every Member of the Bundestag shall be entitled to submit up to four questions every month to the Federal Govern-ment for written reply. As regards the admissibility of the questions, number 1, paragraph 3 and number 2, paragraph 1 shall apply mutatis mutandis.

14. The questions shall be answered by the Federal Govern-ment within one week of receipt by the Federal Chancel-lery.

The replies received in the course of a week shall be pub-lished together with the questions in a printed paper during the following week.

15. If the reply has not been received within one week by the President (Parliamentary Secretariat), the questioner may demand that his or her question be called for oral reply during the first Question Time in the week of sittings fol-lowing expiry of the time limit.

A demand to that effect shall be made to the President (Parliamentary Secretariat) no later than 12.00 hours on the day before Question Time.

If the question has meanwhile been answered in writing, the questioner may merely ask why the reply was not given within the time limit of one week.

16. Questions pursuant to number 15 shall not count as ques-tions submitted orally for that week of sittings. They shall be called at the beginning of Question Time. Number 10, paragraph 2, second sentence shall apply.

Only the questioner may put supplementary questions to a question pursuant to number 15.

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Annex 5Guidelines for debates on matters of general topical interest

I.Conditions for a debate on matters of topical interest

1. A debate on matters of topical interest (Rule 106) shall be held if a) it has been agreed in the Council of Elders; b) it is demanded either by a parliamentary group or by

five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag, who shall be present, in connection with the Federal Government‘s reply to an oral question; or

c) it is demanded by a parliamentary group or five per cent of the Members of the Bundestag independently of a question submitted for Question Time.

2. a) The debate pursuant to I, 1, (b) shall be demanded and held immediately after Question Time. b) The demand for a debate (I, 1, (c)) shall be submitted

to the President, stating the subject, no later than 12.00 hours on the previous day. If the agenda has already been distributed, notification of any such supplementary item shall be given by the President.

II.Order of priority of debates on matters of topical interest

3. Only one debate on matters of topical interest may be held on any one day on which the Bundestag is sitting.

4. If a debate has been agreed upon pursuant to I, 1, (a), no further debate on matters of topical interest may be demanded for the same sitting day.

5. A debate on matters of topical interest demanded indepen-dently of a question submitted for Question Time (I, 1, (c)) shall be postponed until the next sitting day if, pursuant to I, 1, (b), a debate has been demanded on a reply by the Federal Government to an oral question. The postponed debate shall then have priority over the other possibilities of arranging a debate on matters of topical interest.

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III.Duration of the debate and speaking arrangements

6. (1) The debate shall last not more than one hour. If fewer members of a parliamentary group speak than the num-ber to which the parliamentary group is entitled, the duration of the debate shall be reduced by the speaking time to which they are entitled.

(2) This shall exclude speaking time taken up by members of, or persons commissioned by, the Federal Govern-ment or the Bundesrat. If the speaking time taken up by members of, or persons commissioned by, the Federal Government or the Bundesrat exceeds thirty minutes, the duration of the debate shall be extended by thirty minutes.

(3) If a member of, or a person commissioned by, the Feder-al Government or the Bundesrat takes the floor after ex-piry of the time limit prescribed for debates on matters of topical interest, or takes the floor so late in the debate that a five-minute reply is no longer possible, one speaker from each parliamentary group shall be permit-ted to take the floor once more, if a parliamentary group so demands or five per cent of the Members of the Bun-destag, who shall be present, so demand. In the event of a debate on matters of topical interest pursuant to I, 1, (b) and (c), the first speaker shall be one of the Members of the Bundestag having demanded the debate.

7. (1) No one may speak for more than five minutes. If a speak-er speaks for less than five minutes, the duration of the debate shall be reduced by the speaking time not used.

(2) If a member of, or a person commissioned by, the Feder-al Government or the Bundesrat speaks for longer than ten minutes, Rule 44, paragraph (3) shall apply.

8. The speaking arrangements shall be governed by Rule 28 with the proviso that the debate be opened by one of the Members having demanded it.

9. Substantive motions shall not be admissible.

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Annex 6Decision of the Bundestag relating to the waiver of immunity of Members of the Bundestag

1. The Bundestag shall grant permission, up to the end of this electoral term, for preliminary investigations to be conduct-ed against Members of the Bundestag for criminal offences, with the exception of insulting statements of a political nature (Sections 185, 186, 187a, paragraph (1)1 and 188, paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code).

Before preliminary investigations are initiated, the Presi-dent of the Bundestag and, insofar as this does not impede the process of ascertaining the truth, the Member of the Bundestag concerned shall be informed; if the Member of the Bundestag is not informed, the President shall likewise be advised of the fact and of the reasons therefor. The right of the Bundestag to demand the suspension of proceedings (Article 46, paragraph (4) of the Basic Law) shall remain unaffected.

In such cases preliminary investigations may be initiated at the earliest 48 hours after receipt of the notification by the President of the German Bundestag. In calculating the time limit, Sundays, public holidays and Saturdays shall not be taken into account. The President of the German Bundestag can, in agreement with the chairperson of the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure, provide for an appropriate extension of the time limit.

2. This permission shall not cover a) the institution of criminal proceedings for a criminal

offence and the request for the issue of an order of summary penalty;

1 Section 187a, paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code has been repealed

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b) in proceedings pursuant to the Regulatory Offences Act, the statement by the court that a decision on the offence may also be taken on the basis of a penal law (Section 81, paragraph (1), second sentence of the Regulatory Offences Act);

(c) measures taken in the course of a preliminary investiga-tion and involving deprivation or restriction of liberty;

(d) the continuation of preliminary investigations the sus-pension of which the Bundestag demanded in the previ-ous electoral term pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (4) of the Basic Law.

3. To simplify procedure, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall be instructed to take a preliminary decision on permission in the cases specified in number 2 relating to traffic offences.

The same shall apply to criminal offences which, in the opinion of the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure, are to be regarded as petty offences.

Authorisation to prosecute under Section 90b of the Crimi-nal Code in cases of anti-constitutional disparagement of the German Bundestag and Section 194, paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code in cases of insulting statements about the German Bundestag may be granted by way of a prelimi-nary decision.

If, at the beginning of an electoral term, criminal proceed-ings are to be continued against a Member of the Bundestag against whom the Bundestag already permitted criminal proceedings to be conducted in the previous electoral term, the necessary permission may be granted by way of a preliminary decision.

4. The enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment or of coercive detention (Sections 96 and 97 of the Regulatory Offences Act) shall require the permission of the German Bundestag. To simplify procedure, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall be instructed to take a preliminary decision on the

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permission required; in the case of sentences of imprison-ment, this shall, however, apply only where a sentence not exceeding three months has been imposed, or, in the case of accumulation of sentences (Sections 53 to 55 of the Criminal Code, as well as Section 460 of the Code of Criminal Procedure), where none of the individual sentences imposed exceeds three months.

5. If permission has been granted for the execution of a search or seizure ordered in respect of a Member of the Bundestag, the President shall make this permission conditional on another Member of the Bundestag being present when the coercive measure is executed and – if it is to be executed on the premises of the Bundestag – on an additional represent-ative of the President being present; the Member of the Bundestag shall be appointed by the President in consulta-tion with the chairperson of the parliamentary group of the Member of the Bundestag in respect of whom permission for the execution of coercive measures has been granted.

6. The Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure may, by way of a preliminary deci-sion, demand that proceedings be suspended pursuant to Article 46, paragraph (4) of the Basic Law.

7. As regards preliminary decisions, the decisions taken by the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall be notified in writing to the Bundestag by the President, without being placed on the agenda. They shall be deemed to be decisions of the Ger-man Bundestag, unless an objection is lodged in writing with the President within seven days of notification.

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Principles governing matters relating to immunity and to cases of permission granted under Section 50, paragraph (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 382, paragraph (3) of the Code of Civil Procedure as well as authorisations under Section 90b, paragraph (2) and Section 194, paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code

A.Principles2 governing matters relating to immunity

1. Right to request a waiver of immunity The following shall be entitled to request that immunity be

waived: a) public prosecutors‘ offices, courts, professional discipli-

nary courts under public law, as well as professional as-sociations exercising supervision by virtue of a law;

b) the court in those cases in which private individuals may institute criminal proceedings, before it opens the main trial pursuant to Section 383 of the Code of Crimi-nal Procedure;

c) the creditor in executory proceedings insofar as the court cannot take action without his or her request;

d) the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure.

2.NotifyingthePresidentoftheBundestagandfilingrequests a) Where the Bundestag has granted permission, for the

duration of an electoral term, for preliminary investiga-tions to be conducted against Members of the Bundestag for criminal offences, the President of the Bundestag and, insofar as this does not impede the process of as-certaining the truth, the Member of the Bundestag con-cerned, shall be informed before preliminary investiga-

2 The principles pursuant to Rule 107 (2) are adopted by the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure at the beginning of the electoral term.

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tions are initiated; if the Member of the Bundestag is not informed, the President shall likewise be advised of the fact and of the reasons therefor. The right of the Bundestag to demand the suspension of proceedings (Article 46, paragraph (4) of the Basic Law) shall remain unaffected.

b) The requests of the public prosecutors‘ offices or courts shall be communicated through the proper channels to the Federal Minister of Justice, who shall submit them to the President of the Bundestag, requesting a decision on whether permission will be granted to prosecute a Member of the Bundestag, restrict his or her personal liberty or take any other measures envisaged.

c) The creditor referred to in number 1, paragraph (c) may address his or her request to the Bundestag direct.

3. Position of the Members of the Bundestag concerned In matters relating to immunity, the Member of the Bunde-

stag concerned should in principle not be given leave to speak on the merits of the case in the Bundestag; requests by him or her for immunity to be waived shall not be con-sidered. The Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Im-munity and the Rules of Procedure can, upon the request of a parliamentary group on the Committee, give the Member concerned the opportunity to speak.

4. Decisions in matters relating to immunity The privilege of immunity is primarily intended to safe-

guard the Bundestag‘s ability to work and function; the in-dividual Member is entitled to a decision uninfluenced by extraneous, arbitrary motives. The decision to waive immu-nity is taken by the Bundestag on its own responsibility, weighing the interests of Parliament and those of other pub-lic authorities and taking into consideration the interests of the Member concerned. The evidence is not considered; the decision contains no ascertainment of right or wrong, guilt or innocence.

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5. Insults of a political nature Insults of a political nature shall, as a rule, not lead to a

waiver of immunity. In preparation for a decision on whether a request shall be

made for permission to initiate criminal proceedings, the public prosecutors‘ office may inform the Member of the Bundestag of the charge and leave it to him or her to ex-press his or her views thereon. The findings of the public prosecutors‘ office as to the character of the person filing a charge, and any other circumstances having an important bearing on assessing the seriousness of a charge, do not im-ply a „calling to account“ within the meaning of Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law.

Article 46, paragraph (1) of the Basic Law stipulates that a Member of the Bundestag may not at any time be prosecut-ed in the courts or subjected to disciplinary action or other-wise called to account outside the Bundestag for a vote cast or a statement made by him or her in the Bundestag or any of its committees, with the exception of defamatory insults (indemnity). Criminal proceedings may therefore not be ini-tiated against him or her on account, for example, of a non-defamatory insulting statement in Parliament. From this the principle is deduced that where a non-defamatory insulting statement is made outside the Bundestag, immunity shall not be waived either insofar as the insult is of a political nature. An insulting statement which a Member of the Bun-destag has made as a witness before a committee of inquiry shall also be deemed to have occurred „outside the Bunde-stag“, since a Member of the Bundestag has the same status in this respect as any other citizen called as a witness.

6. Apprehension of a Member of the Bundestag in the act of committing an offence

Where a Member of the Bundestag is apprehended in the act of committing an offence or in the course of the follow-ing day, the initiation of criminal proceedings against the Member or his or her arrest shall not require the permission

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of the Bundestag provided that such arrest is made „in the course of the following day“ at the latest (Article 46, para-graph (2) of the Basic Law).

In the event of previous release or failure to deal with the matter on the day after the offence was committed, a new warrant for the Member‘s appearance in court or for his or her arrest shall again require the permission of the Bunde-stag; otherwise this would amount to a restriction of per-sonal liberty (Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law), which is in no way connected with arrest „in the act of committing an offence“.

7. Arrest of a Member of the Bundestag a) The permission, granted for the duration of an electoral

term, to conduct preliminary investigations against Members of the Bundestag for criminal offences as well as the permission to institute proceedings for a criminal offence shall not include permission to make an arrest (Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law) or to issue compulsory attendance orders for their appearance in court.

b) Arrest (Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law) shall only mean detention while awaiting trial; arrest for the purpose of enforcing a sentence shall again require spe-cial permission.

c) Permission to make an arrest shall imply permission to issue a compulsory attendance order.

d) Permission to issue a compulsory attendance order shall not imply permission to make an arrest.

8. Enforcement of sentences of imprisonment or of coercive detention (Sections 96 and 97 of the Regulatory Offences Act)

Permission to institute criminal proceedings on account of a criminal offence shall not imply the right to enforce a sentence of imprisonment.

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The enforcement of sentences of imprisonment or of coer-cive detention (Sections 96 and 97 of the Regulatory Of-fences Act) shall require the permission of the Bundestag. To simplify procedure, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall be in-structed to take a preliminary decision on the permission required; in the case of sentences of imprisonment, this shall, however, apply only where a sentence not exceeding three months has been imposed or, in the case of accumula-tion of sentences (Sections 53 to 55 of the Criminal Code, as well as Section 460 of the Code of Criminal Procedure), where none of the individual sentences imposed exceeds three months.

9. Disciplinary proceedings The waiver of immunity for the purpose of conducting dis-

ciplinary proceedings shall not apply to criminal proceed-ings conducted by the public prosecutors‘ office in the same case. Conversely, the waiver of immunity for the purpose of conducting criminal proceedings shall not apply to disci-plinary proceedings.

No further permission shall be required from the Bundestag for the enforcement of disciplinary measures.

10. Proceedings before professional disciplinary courts Proceedings before professional disciplinary courts under

public law may be conducted only after immunity has been waived.

11.Procedureinrespectoftrafficoffences Permission shall be granted without exception in the case

of traffic offences. To simplify procedure, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Proce-dure shall be instructed to take a preliminary decision in all such cases.

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12. Procedure in respect of petty offences In the case of requests which, in the opinion of the Commit-

tee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure, relate to a petty offence, the Committee shall be instructed to take a preliminary decision (number 13).

13.Simplifiedprocedure(preliminarydecisions) Where, by virtue of authorisations granted to it (numbers 8,

11, 12, as well as B and C), the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure has taken a preliminary decision, the decision taken shall be notified to the Bundestag in writing by the President, with-out being placed on the agenda. It shall be deemed to be a decision of the Bundestag, unless an objection is lodged within seven days of notification.

14. Need for permission in special cases The permission of the Bundestag shall be required for:

a) The execution of non-criminal detention imposed with a view to enforcing forbearance or sufferance (Section 890 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

Where a judgment or an injunction to enforce forbear-ance or sufferance provide for a penalty in the event of contravention, this shall constitute a penalty norm. Examining whether this norm, aimed at ensuring that the debtor fulfils his or her future obligation in respect of forbearance, is violated therefore implies a „calling to account“ within the meaning of Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law in respect of a „punish-able offence“. In this connection it is immaterial whether the proceedings are aimed at imposing non-criminal detention or a fine.

b) The enforcement of detention imposed with a view to securing an affidavit from the debtor for the disclosure of assets (Section 901 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

Since it is only the enforcement of a warrant of arrest which constitutes a restriction of personal liberty with-

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in the meaning of Article 46, paragraph (2) of the Basic Law, for which the permission of the Bundestag is con-sequently required, the Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure holds the view that the execution of proceedings aimed at se-curing an affidavit for the disclosure of assets from a Member of the Bundestag as debtor, as well as the issu-ance, by the court, of a warrant for his or her arrest to secure such an affidavit, do not yet imply a „calling to account“ and therefore do not require the permission of the Bundestag.

(c) The enforcement of non-criminal detention or a com-pulsory attendance order on account of failure to appear as a witness (Section 51 of the Code of Criminal Proce-dure, and Section 380 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

d) The enforcement of non-criminal detention for unjusti-fied refusal to testify (Section 70 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and Section 390 of the Code of Civil Proce-dure).

e) The enforcement of coercive detention aimed at bring-ing about acts which may not be performed by a third party as representative (Section 888 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

f) The enforcement of detention or any other measure in-volving a restriction of liberty imposed upon the debtor as security for the claims against him or her (Section 933 of the Code of Civil Procedure).

g) The enforcement of non-criminal detention for con-tempt of court (Section 178 of the Act on the Organisa-tion of Courts).

h) The enforcement of a compulsory attendance order in respect of the debtor, and of detention in insolvency proceedings (Section 21, subsection 3 and Section 98, subsection 2 of the Insolvency Statute).

i) Confinement, for a limited period of time, in a mental institution or psychiatric nursing home (Section 126 a of the Code of Criminal Procedure).

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j) Measures of corrective training and control measures involving deprivation of liberty (Sections 61 et seq. of the Criminal Code).

k) The enforcement of a compulsory attendance order pursuant to Sections 134, 230, 236, 329 and 387 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

l) The execution of a warrant of arrest pursuant to Sections 114, 125, 230, 236 or 329 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

15. Protective measures under the Protection against Infection Act

Protective measures under the Protection against Infection Act are similar in nature to emergency measures. Measures under Sections 29 et seq. of this act therefore do not require the waiver of immunity, irrespective of whether they are taken to protect others from a Member of the Bundestag or to protect a Member of the Bundestag from others.

However, the competent authorities shall be required to inform the President of the Bundestag immediately of the measures ordered against a Member of the Bundestag. The Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and the Rules of Procedure shall be entitled to check, or to have checked, whether the measures ordered are justified under the Protection against Infection Act. If the Committee con-siders these measures to be unnecessary, or no longer nec-essary, it may, by way of a preliminary decision, demand that they be suspended.

If the Committee is unable to meet within two days of re-ceiving a communication from the competent authorities, the President of the Bundestag may in that respect exercise the rights of the Committee. The President shall immediate-ly inform the Committee of his or her decision.

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16. Pending criminal proceedings When a Member of the Bundestag assumes his or her par-

liamentary mandate, all criminal proceedings pending as well as any detention ordered, enforcement of a sentence of imprisonment or other measure involving a deprivation of liberty (see number 14) shall be suspended ex officio.

Where criminal proceedings are to be continued, a decision shall be obtained from the Bundestag beforehand, unless permission has already been granted for preliminary inves-tigations into a criminal offence to be conducted.

17. Treatment of amnesty cases The Committee for the Scrutiny of Elections, Immunity and

the Rules of Procedure shall, in all cases where, owing to an amnesty already granted, criminal proceedings against a Member of the Bundestag would not be carried out, be authorised to ensure that the proceedings are discontinued because of the amnesty by stating that the Bundestag would not object to the application of the relevant law on amnes-ty. It shall not be necessary to bring such cases before the plenary of the Bundestag.

B.Authorisation to institute criminal proceedings under Section 90b, paragraph (2) and Section 194, paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code

An authorisation to institute criminal proceedings under Section 90b, paragraph (2) of the Criminal Code – anticon-stitutional disparagement of the Bundestag – as well as under Section 194, paragraph (4) of the Criminal Code – insulting the Bundestag – may be issued by way of a pre-liminary decision pursuant to number 13 of the principles governing matters relating to immunity. The requests of the public prosecutors‘ offices drawn up in accordance with the guidelines for criminal proceedings and the guidelines for regulatory fine proceedings shall be addressed to the Federal Minister of Justice, who shall, in turn, submit them

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with the request that a decision be taken on whether the authorisation to institute criminal proceedings pursuant to Section 90b (2) or Section 194 (4) of the Criminal Code should be given.

C.Permission to hear witnesses in accordance with Section 50, paragraph (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and Section 382, paragraph (3) of the Code of Civil Procedure

Permission to depart from Section 50, paragraph (1) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and from Section 382, para-graph (2) of the Code of Civil Procedure, under which Members of the Bundestag must be interrogated at the seat of the assembly, may be granted by way of a preliminary decision pursuant to number 13 of the principles governing matters relating to immunity. The public prosecutors‘ offic-es and courts shall transmit their requests to the President of the Bundestag direct. No permission shall be needed if the date for the interrogation lies outside the weeks in which the Bundestag is sitting.

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Annex 7Questions put to the Federal Government

1. Questions shall be put to the Federal Government at 13.00 hours on Wednesdays in weeks of sittings.

2. The Members of the Bundestag may put to the Federal Government questions of topical interest within its compe-tence, primarily concerning the preceding cabinet meeting. The questions may be introduced by remarks. They must be brief and permit brief replies.

3. The President shall give leave to speak, with due regard to the provisions of Rule 28, paragraph (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag.

4. The questions put to the Federal Government shall in general last 30 minutes.

5. At the beginning of the questions put to the Federal Government, one member of the Federal Government shall be given leave to speak for up to five minutes, if he or she so demands.

6. The President may extend the duration of the questions put to the Federal Government beyond 30 minutes. In this case, the duration of the subsequent Question Time shall be reduced correspondingly.

7. In principle, the members of the Federal Government to whom the question has been put shall answer; the right of the relevant member of the Federal Government to speak shall remain unaffected.

Appendices

146

Appendix 1Internal Regulations of the German Bundestag

of 25 November 2004 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 3386) in the version of 7 August 2002 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 3483), last amended by the Notification of 25 November 2004 (Federal Law Gazette I, p. 3386)

Rule 1Scope

The buildings of the German Bundestag (= buildings, parts of buildings and land which are permanently or temporari-ly under the administration of the German Bundestag, Rule 7, paragraph (2) of the Rules of Procedure) shall be used for parliamentary work. In them, the President of the German Bundestag shall exercise the proprietary and police powers. These Internal Regulations shall apply.

Rule 2Right of admission

(1) The following persons may enter the buildings of the German Bundestag which are not open to the public: 1. a) the Members of the Bundestag; b) the members of the Federal Government and the

Bundesrat, as well as persons commissioned by them; c) the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed

Forces; 2. holders of a Bundestag pass issued pursuant to para-

graph (2); 3. holders of a Bundestag pass issued by the Bundestag

pursuant to paragraphs (3) to (6) with legitimate reasons for entry. Such Bundestag passes shall include day passes, entry cards and Bundestag press passes.

(2) Bundestag passes shall be issued to the following: 1. upon production of their Member’s pass a) the German Members of the European Parliament; b) expert members of the Study Commissions;

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2. upon production of their former Member’s pass, former Members of the Bundestag;

3. on the basis of their employment relationship a) the staff of the Administration of the German

Bundestag and the Bundesrat; b) the staff of the parliamentary groups; c) the staff of the Members of the Bundestag; d) the staff of the German Members of the European

Parliament who work at the offices of the German Bundestag;

e) the staff of the Interparliamentary Working Group. (3) Bundestag passes may be issued to the following:

1. holders of a a) service pass of a supreme federal or Land authority; b) diplomatic passport; c) service pass of the Secretariat of the European Parlia-

ment or the European Commission, provided they re-quire entry on more than an occasional basis;

2. members of the press, whose pass shall take the form of a Bundestag press card (day or annual accreditation issued by the German Bundestag’s Press Centre, or ac-creditation for the course of an electoral term issued by the Press and Information Office of the Federal Govern-ment in cooperation with the German Bundestag’s Press Centre). For occasional visits, a Bundestag pass in the form of a day pass allowing admission on the day in question shall be issued by the door staff in exchange for a photo ID document (e.g. passport, identity card). Press representatives shall receive such day passes from the Press Division.

(4) Other persons (e.g. representatives of associations, crafts and trades people, delivery personnel) may, in the frame-work of the applicable provisions, be issued with a Bunde-stag pass valid at the longest until the end of the year in question, provided they have legitimate reasons to require admission on more than an occasional basis. For occasional visits, a Bundestag pass in the form of a day pass allowing

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admission on the day in question shall be issued by the door staff in exchange for a photo ID document (e.g. passport, identity card).

(5) In addition, day passes shall be issued in exchange for a photo ID document to 1. former German Members of the European Parliament,

upon production of a former Member’s pass; 2. Members of the Land parliaments upon production of

their Member’s pass; 3. staff of the German Members of the European

Parliament who do not work in the offices of the German Bundestag, upon production of their proof of employment.

(6) Guests shall be granted admission for legitimate reasons upon production of 1. an entry card; 2. a day pass, which is issued by the doorkeepers in

exchange for an identity card or passport and permits one-off access for a limited period of time.

(7) The date of expiry shall be clearly visible on the pass. 1. In general, passes shall be valid until the end of the

year in question. 2. Passes issued pursuant to paragraph (2), number one,

subparagraph (a) shall be valid until the end of the term of office; passes issued pursuant to paragraph (2), number three, subparagraphs (b) to (d) shall be valid until the end of the employment relationship, but no longer than the end of the electoral term of the German Bundestag or the European Parliament respectively.

3. Passes issued pursuant to paragraph (2), number 3, subparagraph (a) shall as a rule be valid until the end of the term of employment, but no longer than the term of validity of the service pass.

4. Passes issued pursuant to paragraph (3), number two shall be issued as day passes or yearly passes, or for a short period of time. Passes issued in cooperation with the Press and Information Office of the Federal Govern-

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ment shall be valid at the longest until the end of elec-toral term of the German Bundestag.

5. Passes shall expire immediately on the day on which the grounds on which they were issued cease to apply; they must then be surrendered to the issuing office.

(8) All passes which allow admission must in principle be carried or worn visibly.

(9) When requested by security personnel, all holders of a Bundestag pass present in the buildings of the German Bundestag must prove that they are entitled to be there and, if they have been admitted under paragraph (1), number two, in conjunction with paragraphs (3) to (7), state the purpose of their presence.

(10) Groups of visitors shall only be admitted if accompanied by a Member of the Bundestag or his or her agent or by an employee of the Administration of the German Bundestag responsible for the group. Guidelines on registration, in-vitations and the payment of grants for groups of visitors shall remain unaffected.

(11) In some areas, the public may be granted greater access. (12) Persons who refuse to comply with the required security

measures shall not be admitted.

Rule 3Plenary chamber

(1) The plenary chamber of the German Bundestag may be entered during sittings by: 1. a) the Members of the Bundestag; b) the members of the Federal Government, the

Bundesrat, and persons commissioned by them; c) the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Armed

Forces; 2. the staff of the Administration of the German Bundestag

assigned to work in the plenary chamber; 3. staff of members of the Government or the Bundesrat,

upon production of an entry card for the Government or Bundesrat benches.

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(2) Where sections of the galleries are reserved for certain per-sons or groups (the press, diplomats, foreign delegations and guests of the German Bundestag), they shall be available primarily to these persons or the members of these groups.

Additionally, preferential admission shall be granted to: a) Members and former Members of the Bundestag, the

European Parliament and the Land parliaments; b) holders of an entry card issued by the parliamentary

groups or the Visitors’ Service of the Administration of the German Bundestag;

c) groups of visitors and individual visitors who have been invited or admitted by the Visitors’ Service.

(3) When parliament is not sitting, the plenary chamber may be viewed from the visitors’ galleries, with a guide provid-ing explanations. Children under the age of ten may only participate if accompanied by an adult.

(4) As regards admission to the East Lobby during sittings, par-agraph (1) shall apply mutatis mutandis. Staff of the Mem-bers and parliamentary groups of the German Bundestag may also enter, as may staff of the German Bundestag as-signed to work in the East Lobby.

Rule 4Conduct in buildings

(1) Peace and order must be maintained in the buildings of the German Bundestag. Visitors must respect the dignity of the Bundestag and show consideration for the work carried out. In particular, they must refrain from all actions likely to disturb the activities of the German Bundestag, its bodies, organs and institutions.

(2) It is not permitted to unfurl banners or to display or distrib-ute information materials unless their distribution has been approved.

(3) It is forbidden to advertise or sell goods, organise collective orders or hold collections in the buildings of the German Bundestag. This shall not apply to the sale of goods in the tenant companies, from approved vending machines, or to

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sales arranged by the responsible agencies on the occasion of international conferences.

(4) It is not permitted to bring animals into the buildings, with the exception of guide dogs for the blind.

(5) In the underground access system, the car parks and other traffic spaces, the provisions of the Road Traffic Regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis. Signs giving orders, both positive and prohibitive, must be obeyed. Parking is only allowed under the terms of the permit issued.

Rule 5Special code of conduct for visitors attending sittings of the German Bundestag and its bodies

(1) Before entering, individual visitors and visitors who are part of a group must leave in the cloakrooms all coats, um-brellas, suitcases and bags, along with equipment to record, transmit, broadcast or reproduce images and sounds, as well as binoculars and similar objects. This shall not apply to handbags if they have been inspected beforehand. On days when parliament is not sitting, exceptions may be made.

(2) Visitors attending sittings are prohibited from engaging in manifestations of approval or disapproval, interjections, disorderly or indecent conduct, as well as actions likely to disturb the course of the sittings.

Rule 6Audio and visual recordings, the media

(1) Equipment to record, transmit, broadcast or reproduce imag-es and sounds may only be used with the consent of the President of the German Bundestag and under the terms of the regulations on media reporting issued by the President in the exercise of his proprietary powers. It is forbidden to pro-duce legible copies of personal files without authorisation.

(2) Audio and visual recordings of public sittings of the Ger-man Bundestag and its bodies may only be made from the places reserved for that purpose.

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(3) Audio and visual recordings for commercial purposes, par-ticularly advertising, are prohibited; they are permissible for private purposes, provided that the business of parlia-ment and the right to privacy of those present in the build-ing are not adversely affected; as regards conference and meeting rooms, this shall apply only when parliament is not sitting. The rights of third parties shall remain unaffected.

Rule 7Instructions of security personnel, the use of coercive force, ban on entering Bundestag buildings

(1) The responsible staff shall carry out the tasks designed to ensure order and security and needed to protect the work of parliament; their instructions must be followed.

(2) To maintain security and order, coercive force may be used as set out in the Federal Act on the Use of Coercive Force by Federal Police Officers Exercising Public Authority.

(3) Any person who contravenes the provisions of these Inter-nal Regulations may be ordered to leave the buildings of the German Bundestag.

(4) In the case of a violation of these Internal Regulations, the President of the German Bundestag may impose a ban on entering the buildings of the German Bundestag.

Rule 8Special events, tenant companies

(1) The President of the German Bundestag shall take decisions on whether to make rooms of the German Bundestag availa-ble for events held by agencies, organisations or other bod-ies. The procedure regarding the allocation and use of rooms of the parliamentary groups shall remain unaffected.

(2) If rooms in the buildings of the German Bundestag are made available for events, the German Bundestag can re-quire that the organisers admit only those in possession of an entry card issued by them.

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(3) The Internal Regulations shall apply mutatis mutandis to events under paragraph (1). They shall also apply to special events of the German Bundestag.

(4) Where premises are made available to third parties pursu-ant to lease or rental agreements, the corresponding con-tractual agreements shall apply.

Rule 9Library, archives, special facilitiesWith regard to the use of the library, the archives and other special facilities, the corresponding regulations of use shall apply.

Rule 10Final provisions

(1) The President of the German Bundestag may, on exception-al grounds, restrict or withdraw the right of admission of visitors or groups of visitors. He shall take decisions on ex-ceptions to the provisions of these Internal Regulations.

(2) The President of the German Bundestag may, in exercising his proprietary powers, issue supplementary regulations.

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Appendix to the Internal Regulations

Section 112 of the Regulatory Offences Act

“Section 112 Violation of the internal regulations of a legislative body

(1) Any person who violates regulations issued either generally or in a particular case by a legislative body of the Federa-tion or a Land or its President relating to admission to the building of the legislative body or its appurtenant grounds or relating to his or her presence there or to security and order in the building or grounds, shall be deemed to have committed a regulatory offence.

(2) The regulatory offence may be punished with a fine of up to five thousand euros.

(3) Paragraphs (1) and (2) shall apply, in the case of regulations of a legislative body of the Federation or its President, nei-ther to Members of the Bundestag nor to members of the Bundesrat and the Federal Government, nor to persons commissioned by them, and in the case of regulations of a Land or its President, neither to members of the legislative bodies of the Land in question nor to members of the Land government or persons commissioned by it.”

Section 106 b of the Criminal Code

“Section 106 b Disturbing the Activity of a Legislative Body (1) Any person who violates regulations issued either generally

or in a particular case by a legislative body of the Federa-tion or a Land or its President relating to security and order in the building of the legislative body or its appurtenant grounds and thereby hinders or disturbs the activity of the legislative body, shall be punished with imprisonment for not more than one year or a fine.

(2) The penal provision of subsection (1) shall apply, in the case of regulations of a legislative body of the Federation or its President, neither to Members of the Bundestag nor

Appendix 1 155

to members of the Bundesrat and the Federal Government, nor to persons commissioned by them, and in the case of regulations of a Land or its President, neither to members of the legislative bodies of the Land in question, nor to members of the Land government or persons commissioned by it.”

Appendix 1 156

Appendix 2Guidelines for the Treatment of the Minutes of Committee Meetings under Rule 73, paragraph (3) of the Rules of Procedure of the German Bundestag

of 16 September 1975, amended by the Presidium’s decision of 7 September 1987

I.Minutes of non-public committee meetings which do not constitute classified material may be inspected in the rooms under the administration of the Bundestag by any person who demonstrates a legitimate interest. The following special regulations shall apply: 1. Minutes of non-public committee meetings may be

inspected only after the promulgation of the law concerned or the end of the electoral term.

2. The committee must ensure that minutes which are not to be made directly available to the public even after the promulgation of the law or the end of the electoral term – number 1 of these Guidelines – bear the note

“Restricted” (German designation “Nur zur dienstlichen Verwendung”) (Rule 73, paragraph (2), second sentence of the Rules of Procedure of the Bundestag).

This note shall become invalid at the latest after the ex-piration of the following electoral term, unless the com-mittee decided at the same time to make the minutes available at an earlier time. If the note is only to apply to parts of the minutes, these parts, too, shall be labelled to that effect and attached separately to the minutes.

3. If an audio recording is made of a non-public committee meeting, a written transcript may only be made, copied and distributed to members of the committee if this has been agreed beforehand. One week after the distribution of the minutes or the written transcript of the commit-tee meeting, the recording shall be erased unless the committee has decided otherwise.

Appendix 2 157

4. The President shall decide whether a legitimate interest exists, and may impose conditions on the inspection.

II.Until an alternative regulation is issued on the treatment of minutes of the meetings of committees of inquiry, insofar as they are not subject to the Rules on Document Security, the following shall apply: 1. Until the end of the committee of inquiry’s mandate or

the dissolution of the committee, minutes may only be handed over if requested as administrative assistance (Article 35, paragraph (1) of the Basic Law).

Minutes of public meetings may be inspected by any person who demonstrates a legitimate interest.

The committee shall take decisions on exceptions. 2. Before the end of its mandate, the committee of inquiry

shall make recommendations about the subsequent treatment of its minutes; following the dissolution of the committee of inquiry, decisions on departures from these recommendations shall be taken by the President.

III.These Guidelines shall apply mutatis mutandis to commit-tee printed papers and comparable documents. Submis-sions containing personal data shall be excluded from in-spection.

Appendix 2 158

B. Joint Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee

of 5 May 1951 (Federal Law Gazette, Part II, p. 103),last amended by the Notification of 30 April 2003(Federal Law Gazette, Part I, p. 677),adopted by the German Bundestag for the 17th electoral term on 27 October 2009

159

For the implementation of Article 77 of the Basic Law, the Bundestag has adopted the following Rules of Procedure for the Mediation Committee with the consent of the Bun-desrat:

Rule 1Permanent membersThe Bundestag and Bundesrat shall each send 16 of their members, who shall form the Mediation Committee.

Rule 2ChairThe committee shall elect one Member of the Bundestag and one member of the Bundesrat who shall alternate as chairperson every three months and deputize for each other.

Rule 3SubstitutesA substitute shall be appointed for each member. The sub-stitutes must also be members of the sending institution. They may only attend meetings when deputizing for a member.

Rule 4Change of members and substitutesThe members and their substitutes may be recalled; howev-er, members and substitutes may be recalled and replaced only four times within the same electoral term.

Rule 5Federal GovernmentThe members of the Federal Government shall have the right and, upon the decision of the committee, the obliga-tion to attend meetings.

Joint Rules of Procedure of the Mediation Committee 160

Rule 6Attendance of other personsOther persons may be permitted to attend meetings only by decision of the committee.

Rule 7Quorum

(1) A quorum of the committee shall exist when the members have been notified and have received the agenda no fewer than five days beforehand, and no fewer than twelve mem-bers are present.

(2) The period of notice shall begin when the notification is delivered to the mail sorting offices in the Bundestag and Bundesrat.

(3) A compromise proposal may only be adopted when no few-er than seven Members of the Bundestag and seven mem-bers of the Bundesrat are present.

Rule 8MajorityThe committee shall take its decisions with a majority of the votes of the members present.

Rule 9SubcommitteesThe committee may set up subcommittees.

Rule 10Procedure in the Bundestag

(1) A compromise proposal on the amendment or withdrawal of a bill adopted by the Bundestag shall without delay be placed on the agenda of the Bundestag. A member appoint-ed by the committee shall report to the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.

(2) The Bundestag shall vote only on the compromise proposal. Before the vote is taken, statements may be made on the pro-posal. Another substantive motion shall not be admissible.


(3) If the compromise proposal provides for several amend-ments to the adopted bill, it shall stipulate whether and to what extent these amendments will be voted on jointly in the Bundestag. If the compromise proposal contains amend-ments to the Basic Law, every departure from the text of the bill adopted by the Bundestag pursuant to Article 79, para-graph (2) of the Basic Law shall be voted upon separately. If several amendments are voted on separately, a final vote shall be taken on the compromise proposal as a whole.

Rule 11Procedure in the case of a compromise proposal confirmingtheadoptedbillIf the compromise proposal provides for confirmation of the bill adopted by the Bundestag, no further decision by the Bundestag shall be required. The committee chairperson shall without delay inform the Presidents of the Bundestag and the Bundesrat of the proposal.

Rule 12Conclusion of the procedure

(1) If no compromise proposal is adopted in the second meet-ing convened on the same subject, any member may move that the procedure be concluded.

(2) The procedure shall be concluded if there is no majority in favour of a compromise proposal at the following meeting.

(3) The procedure may not be concluded in any other way without a compromise proposal.

(4) The chairperson shall declare that the procedure is con-cluded and inform without delay the Presidents of the Bundestag and Bundesrat.


Rule 13ExpiryIf the Bundestag or Bundesrat take a decision to abrogate these Rules of Procedure, they shall cease to be in force six months after the decision is taken, unless the Bundestag adopts an amendment beforehand with the consent of the Bundesrat.


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